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^ ISSUED BY THE 

CHAMBER OP COMMERCE 

ofTH^BOROUGH OP QUEENS 

1915 



BROOKLYN EAGLE PRESS 



QUEENS 

BOROUGH 



The Borough of 
Homes and Industry 



A descriptive and illustrated book setting forth its 
wonderful growth and development in commerce, 
industry and homes during the past few years; and 
its many attractions, advantages and possibilities as 
a section wherein to live, to work and to succeed. 



COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY WALTER I. WILLIS, Secretary 



.■r?Trjrf\>J-ia 



ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURING 
««^ INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE of the 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

of the BOROUGH OF QUEENS 

NEW YORK CITY 

1915 



MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE 
Burton Thompson, Chairman 
Wm. D. Bloodgood John J. Halleran 



Wm. H. Dahman 
Michael J. Degnon 
H. W. Drake 
Clifford S. Fox 



A. L. Langdon 
John W. Rapp 
Henry M. Toch 
George E. Woods 



£>. Of D. 
^^^ 23 19 5 



INTRODUCTION 




EW people realize how great a city the Borough 
of Queens would be, considered by itself, apart 
from its political connection with New York City. 
The following statement of its rank, as compared 
with the principal cities of the United States, will 
give some idea of its immensity, of its possibil- 
ities for even greater development, and of its importance from a 
commercial, industrial and residential standpoint: 

19th in Population (387,444 on July 1st, 1914). 
17th in Value of Its Manufactured Products ($151,680,- 
000 in 1909). 

7th in Building Construction for 1914 ($19,373,471). 

6th in Assessed Valuation ($488,686,000 in 1914). 

5th in Area ( 1 17.36 square miles) . 

With the completion of the rapid transit lines that are now 
under construction in the different sections of the Borough, with 
the many new factories that are daily locating here, and with 
the thousands of new homes of every description that are built 
each year. Queens Borough will soon be transformed from its 
present condition of several separate communities, with unsettled 
areas between them, to one continuous, built-up city. 

The natural advantages of the Borough, its actual proxim- 
ity to the centers of activity in Manhattan, its wonderful indus- 
trial development, and the great influx of population from Man- 
hattan and Brooklyn, which is being supplemented from all over 
the country by those who are brought to the Borough by the 
establishment of new commercial and manufacturing enterprises, 
are all combining to make Queens Borough the most attractive 
residential section of New York City, and one of the most im- 
portant manufacturing centers in the United States. 



CONTENTS 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough 
OF Queens: 
Officers, Directors, Chairmen of 
Committees, List of Members, 

Reasons for Membership 7-14 

Manufacturing and Industries: 

Articles Manufactured, Attractions to 
New Industries, New Industries, 
Enlargements, Manufacturing Sta- 
tistics 1 5-24 

Factories, Borough of Queens 25-30 

Dual Subway System of Rapid Tran- 
sit: 
Extensions Into Queens, Benefits De- 
rived by All Sections, Transit Cen- 
ters, Steinway Tunnel, Flushing- 
Bayside Extension, Rapid Transit 
Map, Tunnel Under East River at 

60th Street, Stations 31-41 

Trolley Lines 42-43 

Residential Advantages: 

Influence of Industrial Development, 
Demand for Houses and Apart- 
ments, Types of Homes, Develop- 
ment Companies 44-53 

Long Island Railroad: 

Improvements, Freight Rates, Pas- 
senger Growth, Stations, etc 54-60 



page 

Pennsylvania Station 61 

New York Connecting Railroad 62-63 

Clubs 64 

Waterfront Development: 

Newtown Creek, Dutch Kills Creek, 
East River, Flushing Bay, Flushing 
Creek, Flushing Bay-Jamaica Bay 
Canal, Jamaica Bay, Freight Ter- 
minals 65-74 

Barge Canal Terminals 75-76 

Population 77 

Assessed Valuations 78-79 

The Rockaways: 

Beaches 80-81 

Banks 82-83 

Bridges 84-85 

Telephone Growth 86 

Mortgage Companies 87 

Areas 87 

Parks 88-89 

Power, Light and Heat: 

Electric and Gas Companies 90-91 

Government: 

Borough, County, City 92-94 

Building Development 95-96 

Libraries 97 

Water Supply 99 

Newspapers 99 



Chamber of- Commerce of the Borough|of Queens 

City of New York. 



Incorporated April, 1911. 



To Promote the General Welfare of the Borough of Queens, City of 
New York, and To Foster Its Commerce." 



EXECUTIVE OFFICES 

Bridge Plaza, Long Island City, New York City. 
Telephone, Astoria 1109. 




HE Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens 
has grown steadily both in importance and influence, and 
now has 170 members from every section of the Borough 
who live in that section or have business interests there, 
and its membership includes the most prominent manu- 
facturers, bankers, merchants, real estate developers, 
builders, contractors, and professional men of the Borough. Annual dues 
of $50.00 are charged, thus creating a fund to maintain permanent of- 
fices, and for the compilation of complete records of all large improve- 
ments throughout the Borough, and to assist in securing transit improve- 
ments, developments to the waterfront, improvements to the main high- 
ways, to study legislation affecting the interests of the Borough, and to 
secure the introduction of new commercial enterprises into the Borough. 
The officers and directors of the Chamber for the year 1914-15 are: 



President, 

Vice-President, 

Fice-President, 

Treasurer, 

Secretary, 



Term Expires 1915 
John Adikes, 
W. H. Williams, 
John H. Prall, 
William Brewster 



Robert W. Higbie, 
Charles G. M. Thomas, 
George J. Ryan, 
William J. Hamilton, 
Walter I. Willis, 

Board of Directors. 

Term Expires 1916 
Charles G. Meyer, 
Edward A. MacDougall, 
John W. Rapp, 
Edward Roche, 
Robert B. Austin 



Jamaica 

Flushing 

Long Island City 

Corona 

Flushing 



Term Expires 1917 
Clarence A. Ludlum, 
Stuard Hirschman, 
Henry S. Johnston, 
E. N. L. Young 



Chairmen of Committees, 1914-15. 

Executive and Membership Robert W. Higbie 

Commerce F. D. Thorne 

Manufacturing and Industrial Burton Thompson 

Transit John Adikes 

Legislation Clinton T. Roe 

Arbitration Wm. W. Gillen 

Borough Planning John C. Brackenridge 

Highways Treadwell D. Carpenter 

Queens Boulevard Frank W. Scutt 

Entertainment Fred G. Randall 

Terminal Markets Michael J. Degnon 

Rockaway Turnpike Edward Roche 

Dinner Burt Jay Humphrey 



8 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

List of Members of the Chamber (Feb. 15, 1915). 

Name Address Business 

John Adikes Jamaica Flour and Feed Merchant. 

Charles Lee Andrews ...Flushing Member of New York Stock Exchange. 

Robert B. Austin Jamaica President, Queens County Trust Co. 

J. H. Ballantine Long Island City. . President, Neptune Meter Co. 

Wm. A. Baumert College Point .... Manufacturer. 

Charles R. Bettes Far Rockaway . . . Chief Engineer, Queens County Water Co. 

William D. Bloodgood. .Long Island City.. Real Estate. 

Samuel J. Bloomingdale. New York Bloomingdale Bros., Department Store. 

John C. Brackenridge. ..Richmond Hill ...Consulting Engineer. 

William Brewster Long Island City. . President, Brewster & Co. (Automobiles). 

J. Mead Briggs New York President, Queens Court Realty Co. 

Herman Broesel Long Island City. . Treasurer, Simplex Automobile Co. 

Lathrop Brown Smithtown United States Congressman. 

M. J. Budlong New York President, Packard Motor Car Co. of N. Y. 

Ellis Parker Butler .... Flushing Author ; Vice-President, 1st Nat'I Bank of Flushing. 

Henry L. Caiman Long Island City. . Varnish Manufacturer (Emil Caiman & Co.). 

Treadwell D. Carpenter. Jamaica President, Carpenter Lumber Co. 

Henry A. Cassebeer ....Long Island City. . President, Cassebeer Pharmacal Co. 
Theodore Cassebeer ....Long Island City. . Cassebeer Pharmacal Co. 

James E. Clonin Astoria Clonin & Messenger (Coal, Wood, etc.). 

William T. Clute Long Island City. . Builder. 

Stanley A. Cohen Long Island City. . President, The New York Consolidated Card Co. 

C. W. Copp Flushing Lumber Merchant. 

Charles E. Covert Jamaica Vice-President, U. S. Title & Guarantee Co. 

John D. Crimmins New York Vice-President, N. Y. Title Insurance Co. 

Morton R. Cross New York President, Cross & Brown Co. (Real Estate). 

William H. Dahman . . .Woodhaven Superintendent, Lalance & Grosjean Mfg. Co. 

Richard F. Dalton Long Island City. . Treasurer, N. Y. Architectural Terra Cotta Co. 

R. H. Davis New York Real Estate. 

Joseph P. Day New York Real Estate ; Auctioneer. 

Michael J. Degnon ....Jamaica President, Degnon Realty & Terminal Co. 

John M. Demarest Forest Hills General Manager, Sage Foundation Homes Co. 

George C. Dickel Woodhaven Builder. 

J. W. Doolittle Douglaston Douglaston Realty Co. 

H. W. Drake Brooklyn Commercial Mgr., L. I. Div., N. Y. Telephone Co. 

Clarence Edwards Newtown Attorney. 

Samuel Eichen New York Shore Acres Realty Co. (Beechhurst). 

Jesse F. Ellsworth Long Island City.. Mgr. Astoria Branch, Corn Exchange Bank. 

Walter G. Eliot Long Island City. . Asst. Engineer, Topographical Bureau. 

Leander B. Faber Jamaica Vice-Pres., Queens County Trust Co.; Attorney. 

Charles E. Finlay Great Neck President, Aetna National Bank. 

James F. Fitzpatrick ... Long Island City.. Asst. Superintendent, Nichols Copper Co. 

Thomas J. Foster Long Island City. . President, National Bridge Works. 

Joel Fowler Richmond Hill ...Real Estate; President, Hillside Bank. 

Clifford S. Fox Long Island City. . Supt. of Distribution, East River Gas Co. 

James Frank New York Attorney ; Real Estate. 

George H. Frew Long Island City.. Mgr. Plaza Branch, Corn Exchange Bank. 

John F. Galvin Long Island City. . President, Metal Stamping Co. 

Robert D. Garden Long Island City. .President, Harrolds Motor Car Co. (Pierce-Arrow) 

William W. Gillen ....Jamaica Attorney. 

Earl A. Gillespie Woodhaven Lumber Merchant. 

Marshall W. Gleason ..Maspeth President, Gleason-Tiebout Glass Co. 

Eben Griffiths Jamaica L. I. Editor, Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 

Col. H. A. Guinzburg. .College Point ....Treasurer, I. B. Kleinert Rubber Co. 

John J. Halleran Flushing Fax Commissioner, City of New York. 

William J. Hamilton ...Corona President, First National Bank of Corona. 

Julius Harder Bayside Architect. 

Robert W. Higbie Jamaica President, R. W. HIgble Lumber Co. 

Stuard HIrschman New York Real Estate. 

J. W. Hobbs Long Island City. . District Manager, Goodyear Rubber Tire Co. 

Conrad Hubert Long Island City. . President, American Ever Ready Co. 

E. Covert Hulst Flushing Director, First Mortgage Guarantee Co. 

Burt Jay Humphrey .... Jamaica County Judge. 

Paul H. Irvin Richmond Hill ...Real Estate. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 9 

Name Address Business 

William T. James Flushing President, Queens County Savings Bank. 

Henry S. Johnston Elmhurst President, H. S. Johnston Drug Co. 

J. Wilson Jones Long Island City. . Mgr. L. I. City Branch, Broadway Trust Co. 

William A. Jones, Jr. .. Richmond Hill ...Attorney. 

Frederic C. Kavanaugh. New York President, Howard Estates Development Co. 

Henry S. Kearney New York Treasurer, Queensboro Corporation. 

John J. Kindred Long Island City. .Kindred's Sanitarium; Ex-Congressman. 

George M. Kirchmer ...Brooklyn Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Newtown and Wood- 
haven Gas Companies. 

Samuel Knopf Jamaica President, Everett Realty Co. 

Fred J. Lancaster Long Island City. . President, Courtney Development Co. 

A. L. Langdon New York Traffic Mgr. and Gen'l Freight Agt, L. I. R. R. 

John Anderson Leach ..Long Island City. . City Magistrate. 

G. Howland Leavitt ...Flushing Superintendent of Highways, Borough of Queens. 

Frederic G. Lee New York President, Broadway Trust Co. 

H. S. Leverich New York Real Estate. 

Adolph Lewisohn New York Banker. 

Samuel A. Lewisohn . . . New York Banker. 

Henry Lockhart, Jr New York Banker; President, Simplex Automobile Co. 

Jacob L. Loose Kansas City Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co. (L. I. City). 

Clarence A. Ludlum Jamaica Vice-President, Home Insurance Co. 

Andreas P. Lundin Long Island City. . President, Welin Marine Equipment Co. 

Arthur F. MacArthur . . New York MacArthur Bros. Contracting Co. 

John R. MacArthur New York MacArthur Bros. Contracting Co. 

James A. McDonald ...Flushing Trustee, Queens County Savings Bank. 

H. Stewart McKnight ..New York President, McKnight Realty Co. 

Edward A. MacDougall. Flushing President, Queensboro Corporation. 

Harold C. McNulty New York Real Estate. 

Andrew McTigue Far Rockaway ...Real Estate and Insurance. 

James Macbeth Jamaica Director, Queens County Trust Co. 

Carleton Macy Far Rockaway . . . President, Queensboro Gas & Electric Co. 

Alrick H. Man Richmond Hill ...Attorney; Pres., Kew Gardens Corporation. 

A. F. Mathews Ridgewood Builder. 

G. X. Mathews Ridgewood Builder. 

Martin A. Metzner Long Island City. . Manufacturer, Bags and Bagging. 

Philip K. Meynen Jamaica Real Estate and Mortgage Loans. 

Charles G. Meyer Bayside Secretary, Cord Meyer Development Co. 

C. C. Mollenhauer Brooklyn Real Estate. 

H. F. Mollenhauer Long Island City. . National Sugar Refining Co. 

Harrison S. Moore Flushing Attorney. 

M. Morgenthau, Jr New York Real Estate. 

Henry J. Mullen Jamaica President, H. J. Mullen Contracting Co., Inc. 

Frances J. Cakes Long Island City. . President, Oakes Manufacturing Co. (Chemicals). 

Denis O'Leary Long Island City. . District Attorney, Queens County. 

Alvan T. Paj'ne Long Island City. . Attorney. 

W. Elmer Payntar Long Island City.. Real Estate and Insurance. 

Edward R. Perkins New York Vice-President, Aeolian Piano Co. 

Gaston Plaintiff Long Island City.. New York Manager, Ford Automobile Co. 

E. C. Potter, Jr Long Island City. . Vice-Pres., B'klyn Eastern District Terminal Co. 

John H. Prall Elmhurst Member of New York Stock Exchange. 

Andrew J. Provost Richmond Hill ...Engineer, Firm of Lederle & Provost. 

William P .Rae Jamaica President, Jamaica Hillcrest Co. 

Fred G. Randall Elmhurst Vice-President, Queensboro Corporation. 

John W. Rapp College Point President, Empire Art Metal Co. (Fire-proofing). 

George B. Raymond Long Island City.. Pres., G. B. Raymond & Co. (Sewer pipes, etc.). 

Sol. Richman Long Island City. . Superintendent, Nat'l Enameling & Stamping Co. 

Charles H. Rickert Flushing Secretary, Rickert-Finlay Realty Co. 

E. J. Rickert Great Neck President, Rickert-Finlay Realty Co. 

Walter F. Ring Richmond Hill ...President, Ring-Gibson Co. (Builders). 

Walter Roberts Long Island City. . Gen'l Mgr., Wm. Bradley & Son (Stone Yard). 

Edward Roche Far Rockaway . . . Roche's Baths. 

Clinton T. Roe Whitestone Attorney; Sec'y, L. I. Bond & Mortgage Co. 

Morris Rosenwasser .. .Long Island City. . Manufacturer, Leggins, Boots, etc. 

George J. Ryan Long Island City. . Real Estate and Insurance. 

Rudolph J. Schaef er . . . New York President, F. & M. Schaef er Brewing Co. 

Felix Schwemer College Point .... Vice-President, Traun Rubber Co. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 11 

Name Address Business 

Frank W. Scutt Hollis Real Estate and Mortgage Loans, Jamaica. 

^hfrIen=son^^V.:.iSu^^^.^;:-/i-i•,^^^^^^^^ ^^"^^"- ^ Oueens^Tractlon Cor, 

F. DeHass Simonson ...Elmhurst Real Estate 

GustTve' T^'sl^'/t, xr^l'^^"'^ City..Sohmer & Co. (Piano Manufacturers). 

Ph. r H ? T^^"^ ^*?''' Contractor and Plumbing Supplies. 

T^enZ V .'/""^^^ • • i°"^ ^'Y""^ City. .President, Steinway Piano Co 

Jreder" S^orm "^ --Long Island City. . President, Astoria & Steinway Homestead Co. 

Henrv S 13 w^'^ '^ President, 1st National Bank of Bayside. 

y J c , u ^ Woodside Contractor. 

Bernarfsuvd'l Whitestone President, The New York Watering Co. 

Bernard huydam Elmhurst Real Estate 

Benjamin Sweet Jamaica Real Estate! 

Charles G. M. Thomas. Long Island City. . Vice-President and General Manager, N. Y. & 

R,,,^ ^. ,, Queens Electric Light & Power Co 

Burton Thompson New York Real Estate 

Hen"ry'M ^och"' f^°"^ Jt"^ City. . Superintendent, Devoe Plant, Standard Oil Co. 

Beni/mJn r V ^ Long Is and City. . Varnish and Paint Manufacturer. 

Andrew TVrrf"«5'^T^'"i°"^-^''^"^ City..Mgr., Jackson Ave. Branch, Corn Exchange Bank. 

P...r v^' I^^ ^'*'''" ..Jamaica Coal and Wood Merchant. ^ 

reter Van Siclen Jamaica 

^^r.d\^^''''''^ Jamaica .'.■." i.'.' .'i ."president, Jamaica Savings Bank. 

fort.*vJ'.:y.;::;:::prhiIr^:::: ■■Ii";LT' ^^"'"'^" ^ '^"«"' ^""'°" ^-^- 

Richmond Weed Flushing Attorney 

T A WiS^or'i"^ ^f^'% ^°^"* ■■■■^'''- ^"^ 'T^^^^- American Hard Rubber Co. 

C A wflw ?^'^ York President, Tubes Realty & Terminal Co. 

Alex's Win;.,;,; Long Is and City.. President, C. A. Willey Co. (Varnish). 

HarrvP^iS, Long Is and City. . President, Astoria Veneer Mills & Dock Co. 

WniZrT M WMr Long Is and City.. Attorney; Treas., First Mortgage Guarantee Co 

Sfl. ?\x^r '^""^ • -^""^ ^^'^"^ City. .President, First Mortgage Guarantee Co 

WHbur'^C w!h ''".'•■ • • • ^°"'^'^" P'-^^''^^"*' ^'^'^^y^ ^^P^^ Transit Co 

Wm O wL 1'™''?^ .;^.^...... Manager, Law^yers Title Insurance & Trust Co. 

R P Wooden Long Island City..Pres. and Gen^l Mgr., N. Y. & Queens Co. Ry. Co. 

VVoodm Jamaica Manager, Jamaica Branch, Title Guarantee & 

WilI?am\^Yl' New York EngineTr'"wia Light, Heat & Power Co. 

Euien.N f V Jamaica Vice-President, Yale Land Co. 

Eugene N.L. Young ....Long Island City. . Attorney. 

WH K« H V ""^ .... Long Island City. . Manufacturer, Bags and Bagging. 

Wilhs H. Young Jamaica President, L. I. Bond & Mortgage 



Mortgage Co. 



In Memoriam. 

Lawrence E. Embree Died October 9th, 1912. 

Lmdley M Franklin Died February 12th, 1913. 

Louis Windmuller . Died October 1st, 1913. 

Timothy L. Woodruff Died October 12th, 1913. 

Wm. DeH. Washington Died August 30th, 1914. 

Charles A. Chnstman Died September 2nd, 1914 



12 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

Ten Reasons for Membership in the Chamber 
of Commerce of the Borough of Queens 

1. — Represents All Interests and All Sections. 

It is the only representative organization of the Borough of Queens 
including in its membership men from not only every section of the 
Borough, but of the City of New York, who are interested in the finan- 
cial, commercial, industrial, residential, and general development of Queens 
Borough. In membership and leadership it represents the best citizenship 
and reflects the highest impulse of the community. 

2. — Support Required. 
The Chamber's power Is measured by its centers of information and 
influence. The extent of its activities and the measure of its usefulness is 
determined by the support which it is given by the financial and com- 
mercial interests of the business men of Queens. 

3. — Renders Continuous Service. 

Every man owes a debt to the community that his taxes do not 
cover. This debt can only be paid in service. The Chamber of Com- 
merce is the best medium through which such service can be rendered. 
Service through the Chamber broadens a man's views of government and 
business. The strength of your name, your advice, your influence, your 
money, and, if possible, your service, are needed. 

If you are unable to give your personal service, you should be willing 
to support with your money and influence an organization which is con- 
stantly working for the good of both Queens Borough and Greater New 
York. 

4. — Secures Important Improvements. 

To accomplish the many needed improvements and to promote prop- 
erly the interests of the Borough requires a strong organization of busi- 
ness men. The Chamber is a big institution directing all its energies to- 
wards securing important Improvements, and is therefore worthy of the 
support of every public-spirited citizen who Is desirous of seeing Queens 
Borough hold a leading position in the City of New York. The success 
of Its many committees In securing improvements Is dependent upon the 
support it receives. 

City, State and National officials recognize organized business men, 
and when the Chamber urges Improvements to the transit facilities, water- 
front, highways, and other important matters to assist the growth and 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 13 

progress of the Borough, its recommendations are received favorably and 
given thorough consideration. The larger the organization the greater 
the influence. 

5. — Secures Confidence in Community. 
The growth of the Chamber indicates the confidence that business 
men have in the growth and prosperity of the Borough of Queens, 

6. — Promotes Good Will of Borough. 
As an independent forum for the discussion of civic and commercial 
subjects, out of which come united judgment and action, it has syste- 
matically built up the good-will of the Borough of Queens not only in New 
York City, but throughout the entire country. This is an asset of incal- 
culable value to every business man and interest of Queens Borough. 

7. — Protects From Unjust Exactions. 
Self-protection is a universal instinct. It is just as necessary in busi- 
ness as in organized government. Membership in the Chamber means 
your protection against unjust exactions. 



Club Room^ Chamber of Commerce. 



14 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

8. — Promotes Business Friendship. 

The Chamber promotes friendly acquaintance and thereby lessens, 
removes, or prevents friction, misunderstanding or suspicion between busi- 
ness men in business transactions. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton 
of argument. 

9. — Promotes General Welfare and Fosters Commerce. 

The object of the Chamber, as stated In its by-laws, is "to promote 
the general welfare of the Borough of Queens, and to foster its com- 
merce." It stands for the commercial, industrial and civic advancement 
of the Borough of Queens and the City of New York. 

10. — Facilities Offered to Members. 

(a) Efficient Organization. A thoroughly up-to-date organization 
with an efficient staff of employees, always willing to serve you in any way 
possible. A Secretary, devoting his entire time to the work of the Cham- 
ber, who is acquainted with the needs and possibilities of the various 
sections ot the Borough, and who Is familiar with all matters relating to 
Its commercial. Industrial and general development. 

(b) Offices. The offices of the Chamber consist of the executive 
offices of the Secretary and a large club room, handsomely furnished, 
where all committee and monthly meetings are held. Offices are located 
In the Queens Plaza Court Building, Bridge Plaza, Long Island City. In 
addition, a luncheon club adjoins the offices, where table d'hote lunches 
are served each noonday. This club Is run Independently of the Chamber, 
but Is open to our members and their guests. 

(c) Committees. Efficient committees, which study and promote 
matters affecting the Interests of the Borough In commerce, transit, manu- 
facturing, borough planning, legislation, highways, parks and boulevards, 
public and terminal markets, etc., etc. 

(d) Information and Statistical Bureau, which can furnish you with 
definite Information regarding any phase of the growth, progress and 
possibilities of the Borough of Queens — furnishing reliable information 
for the investor, the home seeker, or the prospective manufacturer. 

(e) Publicity Bureau. Preparing and circulating the latest in- 
formation regarding the many Improvements and developments through- 
out the Borough. A monthly Bulletin is published by the Secretary's of- 
fice, which sets forth not only the activities of the Chamber, but facts 
relating to the development of the Borough in every line. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



15 




Manufacturing and Industries 

QUEENS BOROUGH AS^ A MANUFACTURING CENTER 

HE industrial development in the Borough of Queens in 
the last few years has surpassed the expectations of every- 
one. Millions of dollars have been spent in the con- 
struction of new factories all of which are modern, 
sanitary, well-lighted buildings, of which any city could 
be proud. In addition, many of the present manufac- 
turing plants have made extensive enlargements to their factories. 

Queens Borough, considered as a city by itself, ranks seventeenth 
among the principal cities of the United States in the value of its manu- 
facturing products, according to the last official census taken in 1909 by 
the Department of Commerce of the United States Government. In 
the State of New York it would rank fourth, being exceeded in this 
respect by only the Boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and the City 
of Buffalo. The following table gives some idea of the great industrial 
growth in the past fifteen years: 

Estimated 
1914 
1,100 
40,000 
$225,000,000 
200,000,000 
6,000,000 



1889 

No. of Factories 395 

No. of Employees .... 

Value of Products $35,427,000 

Capital Invested 67,420,000 

Salaries Paid 1,264,000 



1904 
513 
16,669 

$92,941,000 

92,977,000 

1,836,000 



1909 

771 

27,495 

$151,680,000 

145,307,000 

4,407,000 




Ford Motor Car Co. Service Plant, Long Island City. Contains Over 1,000,000 Square 
Feet of Floor Space. As an Assembling Plant, Will Turn Out 25,000 

Cars During 1915. 



16 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



The variety of the articles manufactured covers almost the entire 
range of the industrial field, and includes nearly everything from aero- 
planes to wagons, and such widely different articles as chewing gum and 
granite monuments, dictographs and law books, druggists' supplies and 
turbine engines, enamelware and macaroni, automobiles and toys, caskets 
and biscuits, pearl buttons and foundry castings, rubber brushes and 
pianos, fire-proof doors and, varnish, refined sugar and sky-lights, sales 
tickets and copper refining, lifeboats and billiard tables. 

Within the Borough of Queens is one of the largest copper refining 
plants In the world, the largest illuminating gas plant in the world, the 
largest bakery in the world, one of the largest sugar refining plants, bag 
manufacturing plants, enamelware plants, and automobile service plants 
in the United States. 

The Industrial Directory of New York State, compiled by the Depart- 
ment of Labor for 1912, states that in that year there were 851 factories 
In the Borough of Queens carrying on over 110 different lines of manufac- 
turing and employing 31,687 people. Among the principal industries and 
the number of employees of same in September, 1912, were: 



Article 
Manufactured 



Number of Number of 
Factories Employees 



Article 
Manufactured 



Sheet Iron Work 18 2,616 

Automobiles 17 1,583 

Oil Products 8 1,524 

Silk Goods 10 1,522 

Sheet Metal 3 1,422 

Cut Stone 30 1,312 

Pianos 4 1,259 

Chemicals 10 1,128 

House Trim 32 1,120 

Machinery 25 978 

Gas 8 921 

Rubber Goods 5 850 

Sugar Refining . 1 636 



Buttons 17 

Hosiery and Knit Goods... 8 

Smoking Pipes 1 

Corsets, Garters, etc 1 

Paint and Varnish 13 

Brass and Bronze 7 

Terra Cotta 2 

Caps , 1 

Electricity 15 

Ship Building 8 

Electrical Apparatus 3 

Printing 28 

Ornamental Glass 5 



Number of Number of 
Factories Employees 



595 
593 
542 
525 
449 
432 
405 
295 
281 
278 
259 
257 
253 



The best evidence of the general distribution of these factories 
throughout the Borough is the following table from the New York State 
Industrial Directory, which shows both the number of factories and 
employees In the various sections of Queens. 



No. of No. of 

Location Factories Employees 

Aqueduct 1 4 

Bayside 5 14 

Brooklyn Hills 1 23 

Bushwick Junction .... 1 80 

Cedar Manor 4 28 

College Point 31 3,097 

Corona 34 567 

Douglaston 2 24 

Dunton 4 53 

Elmhurst 12 39 

Evergreen 51 781 

Far Rockaway 25 160 

Flushing 47 433 

Forest Hills 6 95 

Glendale 23 746 

Glen Morris 1 5 

Hollis 1 1 

Jamaica 51 561 

Laurel Hill 5 2,197 

Little Neck 1 3 



No. of 
Location Factories 

Long Island City 297 

Maspeth 36 

Middle Village 2 

Morris Park 8 

North Beach 2 

Ozone Park 10 

Queens 2 

Richmond Hill 33 

Ridgewood Heights.... 62 

Rockaway Beach 29 

Rosedale 1 

South Ozone 2 

Union Course 15 

Whitestone 9 

Winfield 14 

Woodhaven 17 

Woodside 6 

Total 851 



No. of 

Employees 

16,415 

1,040 

28 

798 

6 

57 

41 

831 

722 

316 

5 

3 

76 

149 

299 

1,852 

138 



31,687 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 17 

Attractions to New Industries 
The Borough of Queens has so many advantages that it is without 
doubt destined to be one of the greatest manufacturing centers on the con- 
tinent. Some of the principal reasons which have resulted in attracting 
hundreds of new industries to establish manufacturing, assembling, ship- 
ping and storage plants in the Borough are the following: 

1. Location: If a circle is drawn with Times Square or Herald 
Square as its center, and with a radius of 10 miles, there will be a larger 
area of Queens within that circle than of any other Borough. Queens is 
much nearer the business center of Manhattan than any other Borough. 
In fact, the geographical center of New York City is in Queens Borough. 

2. Rapid Transit: It is now possible to reach by trolley a great 
portion of the Borough for a 5-cent fare from either Manhattan or Brook- 
lyn. Upon the completion and operation of the Dual Subway System with 
the several elevated extensions into Queens, it will be easier to reach than 
even the already built up sections of Brooklyn and the Bronx. 

3. Market: It is always an advantage for the manufacturer to have 
his factory located near a large market. Queens is part of the largest 
market in the world — the City of New York — the financial center and the 
focal point for the transaction of business and the distribution of com- 
modities for the United States. Twenty-seven per cent, of the buying 
population of the United States is located within 100 miles of New York 
City — a market of tremendous possibilities. Within a commuting radius 
of thirty miles, 7^ per cent, of the population of the United States lives. 
Furthermore, the home consumption of manufactured goods of all kinds 
is enormous. Everything to eat, or wear, or that can contribute to the 
pleasure, health or comfort of mankind has a ready sale and quick dis- 
tribution in New York City and vicinity. New York is the gateway 
through which one-half of the imports and exports of the business of the 
United States passes. 

It is an additional advantage for the manufacturer to be located 
where he can truck his finished products direct to the consumers. This 
is the case in Queens, for within a radius of ten miles from the Queens- 
boro Bridge are included not only all the manufacturing centers of the 
Borough, but all of the important sections of Greater New York. 

4. Good Roads: To realize the advantage of trucking facilities 
good roads are an absolute necessity. In the past two years over 100 
miles of the main highways of the Borough have been repaved, and to-day 
Queens has as good roads as any section of the City. 

5. Queenshoro Bridge: Spanning the East River across Black- 
well's Island — opened in 1909, gives a direct route for vehicles of all 

2 



18 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

description from 59th Street and Second Avenue (Manhattan) to Long 
Island City (Queens Borough). It is estimated that 580,000 trolley cars; 
1,200,000 vehicles; and 29,000,000 persons crossed the Bridge during 
the year 1913. 

6. Labor Supply: In every industrial center the labor supply is one 
of the most Important features. In New York City there is a labor 
supply not to be found In any other American City. Queens has available 
this unlimited supply of labor from a population of over 5,000,000 within 
easy traveling distance. Including the cheapest labor of the newly arrived 
Immigrant, and the highest skilled labor. 

7. Housing Facilities: The Borough of Queens offers advantages 
superior to any other section of Greater New York for the housing of 
employees of factories. For those who prefer to live within walking 
distance of their work small houses and apartments in quiet locations can 
be obtained at a reasonable cost or rent. Trolleys, rapid transit lines and 
electric railroads make available all parts of the City of New York for 
housing employees. Electricity, gas and water are everywhere provided. 
Sewers are installed. The best schools, churches of all denominations, 
beaches, parks and theatres and all requisites for pleasure are here. 

8. Available Sites: There is no section of New York where so 
much acreage is available as in the Borough of Queens. There are 
thousands of acres available for Industrial development. The manu- 
facturer who has a good location and is surrounded by favorable conditions 
has an advantage over his competitors. Numerous waterfront sites are to 
be had along the East River and Newtown Creek, with a depth sufficient 
to accommodate vessels of large draught, at prices much lower than any 
other waterfront property in the City. Along the Connecting Railroad 
and the Pennsylvania-Long Island Railroad are thousands of acres where 
sidings may be had bringing cars to the factory door and saving all expense 
for carting. Other locations within easy hauling distance of both railroad 
and piers are to be had at attractive prices, varying according to location, 
but always far below in price the same class of property anywhere else 
in New York City. 

9. Cheapness of Land: The price of land Is much cheaper than 
in Manhattan and other Boroughs, and floor space with many facilities 
which Manhattan cannot offer such as light, air, direct tracking facilities, 
etc., can be had at very low prices. 

10. Railroad Facilities: There are in Queens today over seventy 
miles of railroad, some of which is two, four, and six tracked. This 
amount of railroad through the Borough gives an adequate opportunity 
for sidings direct to factory premises. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 19 

11. Freight Rates: Metropolitan freight rates apply to Queens 
just as they do to Manhattan, and good shipped into the Borough from 
more than 100 miles, or shipped out further than 100 miles, get exactly 
the same rates that the same commodities shipped in or out of Manhattan 
receive. These New York rates apply as far as Flushing and Jamaica. 

12. Electricity and Gas: Electric power rates are very advan- 
tageous. They are as low as the rates in any city on the Atlantic seaboard, 
and compare favorably with companies in other parts of the United States 
which manufacture electric power by steam. Gas for power, illumina- 
tion or heating can be obtained at reasonable rates. 

13. Waterfront: The 200 miles of waterfront and 35 miles of 
docks and bulkheads on the East River, Newtown Creek, Flushing Bay, 
Flushing Creek, Jamaica Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, Indicates the tre- 
mendous amount of waterfront that Queens has available for shipping 
and for future development. 

14. Connecting Railroad: The New York Connecting Railroad, 
with Its massive bridge over Hell Gate, connecting Queens Borough with 
the Bronx, and the Pennsylvania-Long Island Railroad system with the 
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, will give an all-rail route 
for both freight and passenger traffic. This railroad will be ready for 
operation early in 1916. 

15. Financial Center: As a financial center New York City Is more 
than six times greater than any other city In the country, twenty-six per cent 
of the banking power of the United States being centered In it, and ten 
per cent of the banking power of the world. Queens Borough is a part 
of this great banking center, and has today fifteen State Banks, eight Na- 
tional Banks, four Savings Banks, and five Trust Company Banks, with 
resources of over $150,000,000. 

16. Barge Canal Terminals: Three terminals of the State Barge 
Canal will be located in the Borough of Queens, as follows: 1st, on the 
East River, just north of the Queensboro Bridge, Long Island City; 2nd, 
on Hallet's Cove, East River, in the Astoria section of Long Island City; 
3rd, Flushing Bay, just west of the mouth of Flushing Creek. These ter- 
minals will place all of the advantages of the $101,000,000 deeper and 
wider State Barge Canal at the disposal of the shippers of Queens Borough, 
and will materially reduce the cost of transportation of raw materials 
and manufactured products. 

17. "Queensboro Terminal" : A branch of the Brooklyn Eastern 
District Terminal Co. Is located on the East River, just south of the 
Queensboro Bridge. This terminal receives and delivers freight each 
day for not only every railroad in the United States, Canada and Mexico, 



20 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



but to the steamboat lines on Long Island Sound, the Hudson River, and 
the Atlantic Coast, giving as prompt and economical transportation as the 
merchants and manufacturers of Brooklyn and Manhattan receive. The 




Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co., Degnon Terminal, Long Island City. 
Manufacturers of "Sunshine Biscuits." The Biggest Bakery in the World, and the 
Largest Concrete Building Under One Roof. 



' i-Ci 



Irs: >fS » Iw ': m. Wft IS SS te 1rr- 




American Ever Ready Co., Degnon Terminal, Long Island City. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



21 



Degnon Terminal on Dutch Kills Creek is a private terminal develop- 
ment comprising 70 acres, with every facility for rail and water shipments 
to each factory located in this development. 



NEW INDUSTRIES 

The following table gives a list of some of the larger factories which 
have located in the Borough of Queens during the years 1913 and 1914. 
This list includes 40 different new industries, with an aggregate of over 
10,000 new employees and occupying over 3,000,000 square feet of floor 
space. 



Location 
Long Island City 



Long Island City 

Woodside, L. I. 

Long Island City 

College-Point 

Long Island City 
Bushwick Junct. 
Long Island City 



Name 

Acorn Silk Co. 
The Aeolian Co. 
Akron Tire Co. 
American Bar Lock Co. 
American Ever Ready Co. 

Brett Lithographing Co. 
Bon Ray Film Co. 
Dunlop Wire Wheel Corp. 
Joseph Elias & Co. 
Empire Art Metal Co. 

Franklin's Inc. 
C. B. French Cabinet Co. 
Pickling Enameling Co. 
Goodyear Rubber Tire Co. 
Grady Manufacturing Co. 

Harrolds Motor Car Co. 

A. C. Horn Co. 

Horn Holland Co. 

Imperial Metal Co. 

Klein Brothers 

Keshan Renovating Co. 

Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co. 

Leading Embroidery Works 

L. Marcotte & Co. 

Munsing Tractor Co. 

Meurer Steel Barrel Co., Inc. 

National Casket Co. 

New York Watering Co. Whitestone 

The N. Y. Consolidated Card Co. L. I. City 

Pan-0-Lite Grease & Oil Co. 

Rosenwasser Bros. " 

G. Schirmer, Inc. 

Schoen-Dahlstrom Co. 

Simons-Ascher & Co. 

Simplex Photo Products Co 

Sterling Gum Co. 

S. G. V. Auto Co. 

Sanitation & Supply Co. 

Walters Piano Co. 

Wahle Phillips Co. 



Woodhaven 

Queens 
Long Island City 



College Point 
Glendale, L. I. 
Morris Park, L. I. 
Long Island City 



Articles 
Manufactured 
Silk Dyeing 
Player Pianos 
Rubber Tires 
Locks 
Electrical Acces- 



Lithographing 

Moving Pictures 

Wire Wheels 

Plate Glass 

Fireproof Building 
Material 

Candies 

Telephone Booths 

Enameling 

Rubber Tires 

Polishes 

Service Plant 
Pierce-Arrow 

Varnish 

Varnish 

Metal Works 

Bamboo Furniture 

Rugs 

Sunshine Biscuits 

Novelties 

Decorators 

Auto Trucks 

Boilers 

Caskets 

Silk Dyeing 

Playing Cards 

Oil 



No. of 
employees 
70 1- 
200 

150 1- 
30 1- 



pns 

Music Publishers 
Paper Boxes 
Knit Goods 
Photo Products 
Gum & Chocolates 
Service Plant 
Antiseptics 
Pianos 
Elec. Fixtures 



1,500 

150 

18 

50 

55 

750 
200 
200 

20 

45 

20 
210 

30 

40 
135 
100 
150 
2,500 10- 
800 

60 

15 
200 
500 
200 
500 

25 
850 
500 

25 
300 

40 
700 

50 

25 
150 
150 



Floor Space or 

Size of Building 

■story— 60' x 140' 

117,000 sq.ft. 

■story— 220' X 130' 

■story— 75' x 180' 

■story— 200' x 150' 
■story— 200' x 100' 
•story — 249' x 280' 
18,700 sq. ft. 
story— 315' X 100' 

■story— 200' x 200' 

■story— 100' X 65' 

100,000 sq. ft. 

20,000 sq. ft. 
■story — 52' X 268' 
■story— 48' x 85' 
•story— 200' X 80' 
•story— 200' x 200' 
■story— 98' X 86' 
■story — 50' X 75' 
story— 60' X 140' 
■story— 70' x 170' 
•story— 100' X 200' 
story — 430'x200' 
story— 200' X 250' 

22,000 sq. ft. 
story — 50' x 75' 
story— 250' X 180' 
story — 489' X 60' 

10,000 sq. ft. 
story — 45 8' X 70' 
story— 35' X 75' 
story— 100' x 265' 
story — 220' x 290' 
story— 50' X 100' 
story— 200' x 100' 
story— 75' X 35' 
100,000 sq.ft. 
story— 185' X 75' 
story— 25' X 150' 
story— 185' X 75' 
story- 104'x 77' 



22 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




^'S^'' 













Harrolds Motor Car Co. (Pierce-Arrow Service Plant), Long Island City. 



ENLARGEMENTS TO FACTORIES— 1912-14 



Name 



American Hard Rubber Co. 

American Sales Book Co. 

American Agricultural Chemical Co. 

Atlantic Macaroni Co. 

Bottlers and Manufacturers Supply Co. 

Collins Iron Works 

Columbia Paper Bag Co. 

Defiance Button Machine Co. 

Wm. Demuth & Co. 

Ford Motor Co. 

General Vehicle Co. 

I. B. Kleinert Rubber Co. 
Jos. McGee Foundry Co. 
John Lackner Co. 
National Varnish Co. 
National Sugar Refining Co. 
Neptune Meter Co. 

Prest-O-Lite Co. 

Standard Oil Co. 

Tiffany Studios 
Louis Trilsch 
Traun Rubber Co. 

U. S. Metal Products Co. 

C. A. W^illey Co. 



Location 
College Point, L. I. 
Glendale, L. I. 
Laurel Hill, L. I. 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 
Richmond Hill 
Long Island City 

Long Island City 

College Point, L. I. 
Long Island City 
Whitestone, L. I. 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 
Long Island City 

Long Island City 

Long Island City 

Corona, L. I. 
Whitestone, L. I. 
College Point, L. I. 

College Point, L. I. 

Long Island City 



Addition 

3 stories 100' x 40' 

2 stories 200' x 75' 

3 stories 355' x 60' 
3 stories 90' x 250' 

2 stories 242' x 70' 

1 story 50' x 100' 

3 stories 200' x 80' *Fire 

2 stories 25' x 45' 
1 story 110' X 60' 
8 stories 328' x 150' 
5 stories 327' x 75' 

1 story 327' x 100' 

4 stories 75' x 80' 

2 stories 125' x 200' *Fire 



9 stories 
1 story 
J 5 stories 
] 2 stories 
J 2 stories 
I 2 stories 

1 story 

2 stories 

3 stories 
I 2 stories 
I 1 story 

6 stories 



71' X 146' 

125' X 100' 

175' X 75' 

75' X 100' 

145' X 380' I* Fire 

90' X 90' I 

175' X 35' 

95' X 95' 

26' X 52' 

50' X 150' 

75' X 150' 

75' X 150' 




National Casket Co., Jackson Ave., Long Island City. 




General Vehicle Co., Review Ave., Long Island City. The Largest Manufacturers of 

Electrical Trucks in the World. This Is the First of Six New Buildings Which 

Will Constitute the Entire Plant, and Will Cover Over Eight Acres 

OF Ground. Present Output Is 3,000 Trucks a Year. 



24 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Rank of Manufacturing Cities of United States — 1909. 

Value of Per Cent. No. of Avge.No. 

Manufactured Increase establish- of JVage Capital 

City Rank Products, 1909 1899-1909 ynents Earners Invested 

New York, N. Y 1 $2,092,693,000* 73.0 25,938 544,002 $1,364,353,000 

Chicago, III 2 1,281,171,000 61.0 9,656 293,977 971,841,000 

Philadelphia, Pa 3 - 746,076,000 43.5 8,379 251,884 691,397,000 

Brooklyn, N. Y 4 417,223,000 33.0 5,218 123,883 362,337,000 

St. Louis, Mo 5 " 328,495,000 69.5 2,667 87,371 269,392,000 

Cleveland, 6 271,961,000 95.0 2,148 84,728 227,397,000 

Detroit, Mich 7 252,992,000 195.0 2,036 81,011 190,125,000 

Pittsburg, Pa 8 243,454,000 11.5 1,659 67,474 283,139,000 

Boston, Mass 9 237,457,000 107.0 3,155 69,637 175,182,000 

Buffalo, N. Y 10 218,804,000 107.0 1,753 51,412 193,041,000 

Milwaukee, Wis 11 208,324,000 83.0 1,764 59,502 219,391,000 

Newark, N. J 12 202,511,000 78.5 1,858 59,955 154,233,000 

Cincinnati, Ohio 13 194,516,000 37.3 2,184 60,192 150,254,000 

Baltimore, Md 14 186,978,000 38.4 2,502 71,444 162,437,000 

Minneapolis, Minn 15 165,405,000 75.0 1,102 26,962 90,382,000 

Kansas City, Kans 16 164,081,000 105.0 165 12,294 42,817,000 

QUEENS BOROUGH... 17 151,680,000 314.0 771 23,891 145,307,000 

San Francisco, Cal 18 133,041,000 24.3 1,796 28,244 133,824,000 

Jersey City, N. J 19 128,775,000 76.5 745 25,454 79,794,000 

Indianapolis, Ind 20 126,522,000 113.5 855 31,815 76,497,000 

Providence, R. 1 21 120,241,000 66.0 1,080 46,381 118,512,000 

Rochester, N. Y 22 112,676.000 89.0 1.203 39.108 95,708,000 

The above figures are from the last official census taken in 1909 by 

the Census Bureau of the Dept. of Commerce. New figures will be com- 
piled this year for 1914. 




Steinway & Sons Piano Factory, Ditmas Avenue, Long Island City. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



25 



Factories 



Borough of Queens. 

(From "Industrial Directory of New York," 1912, compiled by New York State Department of Labor.) 

No. of 
Employees 



Product Manufactured 
Aqueduct. 



Name 

1 small factory 

Bayside. 

5 small factories 14 

Brooklyn Hills. 

Dillman Baking Co., Inc Bread 23 

Bitshwick Junction. 

Sampson, A., & Sons Oilcloth 80 

Cedar Manor. 

Long Island Electric Railway Co Car repairing 16 

3 small factories 12 

College Point. 

American Hard Rubber Co Rubber goods 670 

Autopress Co Printing presses 187 

Brandes, Julius, Mfg. Co Silk ribbon 34 

Chilton Paint Co Paint 3D 

Gerlach, J. H Blank books 14 

Haering & Matter Silk dyeing 30 

Kleinert, I. B., Rubber Co Dress shields 525 

Kraemer Bros. Co Woodwork 33 

Mynepho Ribbon Mills Silk rilabons 323 

Stelz, George J Boats 13 

Traun Rubber Co Rubber goods 144 

United States Metal Products Co Fireproofing material 994 

Weber, R. A., Silk Dyeing Co Silk dyeing 62 

18 small factories 38 

Corona. 

Johnson & Bernstein Doors and trim 21 

Stone, Max Shirts 48 

Stone, H., & Son Shirts 38 

Stone & Frank Shirts 36 

Tiffany Furnaces Glassware and pottery 44 

Tiffany Studios Architectural iron and bronze work 284 

28 small factories ^Q 

Douglaston. 
Citizen Water Supply Co. of Newtown, Station 

No. 8 Water pumping 15 

1 small factory 9 

D union. 

Long Island Railroad Co Car repairing 30 

Sanitary Water Still Co Water distilling apparatus 11 

2 small factories 12 




American Hard Rubber Co., College Point, L. I. "Enterprise Works" Established in 1854. 

Located on Flushing Bay. 



26 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 

No. of 
^ame Product Manufactured Employees 

Elinluirst. 

12 small factories ■• 3" 

Evergreen. 

American Clay Pipe Works Clay pipes 28 

Arctic Knitting Mills Sweaters and knit goods 27 

Bessin, Frank £^P^, H 

Braun. E Brushes 14 

B R T., Ridgewood Service Car House Car repairing 43 

Cohen Brothers Shirts 112 

Dachert & Hasenflug Metal advertising signs 18 

Diogenes Brewing Co Beer 22 

Evergreen Knitting Mills Knit goods 19 

Evergreen Steam Stone Works Stone cutting 26 

Frank Brewery Beer 57 

Grauer, George, Estate of .Ice 12 

Knorr Bros., Inc Beer kegs 25 

National Cooperage Co Beer kegs 41 

Peerless Silk Mills, Inc Silk ribbons 10 

Ridgewood Times Printing & Publishing Co Printing and publishing 10 

Rudolph, Otto Knit goods 16 

Sackman Bros. Co Children's play suits 38 

Strebel, Chas., & Sons Structural iron work 26 

Wagner Comb Mfg. Co Shell combs 32 

Welz & Zerweck Brewery Beer 100 

30 small factories 92 

Far Rockaway. 

Kaiser, George, Lumber Co House trim 11 

Mullen & Buckley Window screens and toilet seats 35 

News, Rockaway Printing and publishing 14 

Pepper, Thomas Woodworking 13 

Queens Borough Gas & Electric Co Gas and electricity 17 

Queens County Ice Mfg. Co Ice 12 

19 small factories 58 

Flushing. 

Concrete Products Co Hollow tile 31 

Copp, C. W General woodwork 31 

Empire State Dairy Co Bottled milk 10 

Flushing Steam Laundry Laundering 38 

Franck, Heinrich, Sons & Co Chicory 82 

Gaumont Co Motion picture film 34 

Hunter Illuminated Car Sign Co Car signs 43 

Journal, Flushing Printing 20 

New York & Oueens Gas Co Gas 12 

Third Ward Hygeia Ice Co Ice 10 

Times, Flushing Daily Printing and publishing 13 

36 small factories 109 

Forest Hills. 

Sage Foundation Homes Co Concrete blocks, house trim, etc 82 

5 small factories 13 

Glcndale. 

American Salesbook Co Salesbooks 58 

American Soldier Co Toys 16 

Barthels Mfg. Co Braids and shoe laces 86 

Bay View Ribbon Co. (Progress Mills) Silk ribbons 65 

Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co Car repairing 17 

Carey, Samuel Chocolate grinding machinery 42 

Prairie Grass Furniture Co Furniture 70 

V. & O. Press Co Stamping presses 59 

Vogt, Walter T Braids 13 

Wicke, Wm., Ribbon Co Silk ribbons 296 

1 3 small factories 24 

Glen Morris. 

1 small factory 5 

Hollis. 

1 small factory 1 

.Tamaica. 

Carpenter, John R., Co General woodwork Ill 

Disbrow Bros Auto repairing 12 

Farmer, Long Island Daily Printing 11 

General Acoustic Co Electrical instruments 82 

Jamaica Consumers Ice Co Ice 19 

Jamaica Gas Light Co Meter repairing and pipe cutting 11 

Jamaica Paragon Plaster Co Plaster grinding 15 

Liberty Laundry Laundering 52 

I-ong Island Tool & Electric Works Cigar lighters 12 

Park Laundry Co Laundering 40 

Reiss, Mendel Children's dresses 12 

Stansbury, James Woodwork 29 

Tinkelman, J., & Son Dresses 21 

38 small factories 134 

Laurel Hill. 

General Chemical Co Sulphuric acid and alum 285 

National Enameling & Stamping Co Enamelware 900 

Nichols Copper Co Copper 1008 

2 small factories 4 

Little Neck. 

1 small factory 3 

Long Island City. 

Adler Veneer Seat Co Chair seats 27 

American Apothecaries Co Effervescent salts 18 

American Art Mfg. Co Chandeliers 10 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 27 

No. of 
Name Product Manufactured Employees 

American Drug Syndicate Drugs and medicines 624 

American Locomotive Co Auto repairing 90 

Ardsley Knitting Mills Women's knit underwear 29 

Armour's Fertilizer Works Fertilizer 36 

Aseptic Products Co Porous plaster and surgical tape 54 

Astoria Boat Works Boats 10 

Astoria Light, Heat & Power Co Gas 630 

Astoria Marble Co Marble sawing 52 

Astoria Pearl Button Co Pearl buttons 41 

Astoria Silk Works Silks and velvets 279 

Astoria Veneer Mills & Dock Co Veneer 184 

Atlantic Blau-Gas Co Compressed gas 29 

Atlantic Macaroni Co Macaroni 160 

Auto Sales Gum & Chocolate Co Gum 89 

Auto Sales Gum & Chocolate Co Slot machines 82 

Auto Sales Gum & Chocolate Co Repairing weighing machines 16 

Barber Asphalt Paving Co Repairing machinery 10 

Benz Auto Import Co. of America Auto repairing 88 

Betron Studio Lamp shades 29 

Borgia Bros. Co Marble cutting and polishing 14 

Bottlers & Mfrs. Supply Co Bottles 110 

Bradley, Wm., & Son Marble and stone cutting 440 

Brewster & Co Auto and carriage bodies 455 

Briggs, Stephen Repairing barrels 22 

Brooklyn Range Boiler Co Range boilers and steel barrels 36 

Brown, George, & Co Stone cutting 93 

Brunswick-Balke Collender Co Billiard tables, bowling alleys and bar fixtures.... 213 

Caiman, Emil, & Co Varnish 45 

Cassebeer Pharmical Co Toilet creams 25 

Champion Silk Co Silk 64 

Chase, Roberts & Co Varnish 16 

Collins Iron Works Boilers, tanks and stacks 17 

Columbia Paper Bag Co Paper bags 125 

Coulston, J. W., & Co Dry colors IS 

Cross, Mark, Co Fancy leather goods 85 

Defiance Button Machine Co Button machinerv and tools 266 

DeLong Wood Working Co Woodwork 30 

DiNobili, P., & Co Cigars and cigarettes 407 

Domestic Mfg. Co Soap and soap powder 25 

Dvorsky, Charles Pearl buttons 16 

Emken Chemical Co Malt coloring 16 

Empire City Pearl Button Works Pearl buttons 211 

Enderlin, J., Jr., & Co Steam boilers 10 

Eppinger & Russell Co Creosoting lumber 28 

Federal Brass & Bronze Co Architectural brass and bronze work 12 

Ford Motor Co Auto repairing 66 

Franklin Brass Foundry Brass castings 26 

General Vehicle Co Electric auto trucks 458 

Gillies, James, & Sons Cut stone 18 

Gillman Marble Co Marble cutting and polishing 15 

Gray, C. M., Marble & Slate Co Marble cutting and polishing 17 

Haberman, Joseph, Co Tallow and calf skins 26 

Huber, Joseph Wagons 12 

Ingrain Yarn & Dyeing Co Yarn dyeing 10 

Irving Iron Works Architectural and structural iron work 41 

Just, George A., & Co Structural iron work 30 

Kalamein Co Metal-covered doors and trim 71 

Kemlein & Leahy, Inc Marble cutting 21 

Keshan Renovating Co Laundering and dyeing 84 

Klaber, A., & Son Marble work 12 

Klein Brothers Bamboo furniture 103 

Klein, J., Iron Works Structural iron work 20 

Kolenik, John, Jr., & Co Wire work 20 

Krai, Wm., & Co Pearl buttons &(, 

Lackner, John, Co Paper novelties 78 

LaCour Iron Works Structural iron work 15 

Lissberger, Marx, & Son, Inc White metal 36 

Long Island Hygeia Ice Co Ice 10 

Long Island Machine & Marine Construction Co. .Boat building and machinery 10 

Long Island R. R. Co Engine repairing 234 

McGee, J., Iron & Brass Foundry Iron and brass casting 74 

McGrath, M., & Co Granite cutting 14 

McWhirter, W. H., Co Marble and cut stone 20 

McWilliams Brothers Boat repairing 27 

Manhattan Grille Co Interior woodwork 17 

Manhattan Pearl Button Mfg. Co Pearl buttons 23 

Manhattan Steam Bakery Bread 32 

Matheson Lead Co._ White lead 109 

Mayer & Lowenstein Varnish 35 

Mehlin Family Oil Works Oil packing , 14 

Mercury Motor Co Gasoline motors 10 

Metal Stamping Co Carriage and auto hardware 171 

Metropolitan Electric Mfg. Co Switchboards and electrical apparatus 134 

Meyers, W. F Diamond saws and stone cutting machinery 27 

Migel, M. C, & Co Silks 169 

Miller, E., & Sons, Inc Cut stone 28 

Mitred Box Co Paper boxes '. 61 

Mitred Box Co Pulp composition dolls 31 

Moore, Benj Bakery 38 

Morrison, D. G Cut stone .'.'.' 21 

Morrison, Marie Dry cleaning 41 

National Bridge Works Structural iron work ] 46 



28 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 








^A$-i ' > i i * I > t . I 




National Sugar Refining Co., Long Island City. One of the Largest, Most Modern and 

Efficient Plants in the World. 

No. of 
Name Product Manufactured Employees 

National Indicator Co Train indicators 14 

National Sugar Refining Co. of N. J Sugar refining 633 

Neary, Peter, & Son Co Granite cutting and polishing 22 

Needham, A. W Machinery 17 

Neptune Meter Co Water meters 360 

New Amsterdam Gas Co Gas 209 

New York Architectural Terra Cotta Co Terra cotta 377 

New York Asbestos Mfg. Co .\sbestos pipe covering 10 

New York Lead Wool Co Lead wool 14 

New York & Queens Electric Light & Power Co. .Electricity 45 

North American Metaline Co Metal bearings 18 

Oakes Mfg. Co Dye stuffs 40 

Oakley Foundry & Engineering Co Steel castings 10 

O'Rourke Engineering Construction Co Machinery 12 

Packard Motor Car Co. of N. Y Auto repairing 200 

Palmer & Singer Mfg. Co Automobiles 118 

Pennsylvania R. R. Co Electricity 130 

Pennsylvania R. R. Co Electricity 29 

Pennsylvania R. R. Co Car and locomotive repairing 178 

Piel, G., Co Automobile horns 47 

Pirkl, John. Foundry Co Iron castings 89 

Polachek, John, Bridge & Iron Co Architectural bronze work 46 

Pratt & Lambert Varnish 12 

Prest-0-Lite Co Carbide gas 16 

Oueensboro Brass & Bronze -Foundry Brass, bronze and aluminum castings 12 

Ravenswood Co Alarble cutting 137 

Ravenswood Paper Mill Co Paper 45 

Rubber Stopple Co Rtibber stoppers 31 

Russell Foundry & Machine Works Machinery 10 

Schmid, Julius Skins for bottle tops 48 

Sexauer & Lempke, Inc Structural iron work 110 

Shuttleworth, Edwin Co Marble and cut stone 53 

Simplex Automobile Co Auto repairing 64 

Smith, Edward, & Co Varnish and paint 45 

Sohmer & Co Pianos 250 

Standard Oil Co. of N. Y Boat repairing 85 

Standard Oil Co. of N. Y Paint ' 28 

Standard Oil Co. of N. Y Tin cans 294 

Standard Oil Co. of N. Y Lubricating oils 703 

Standard Oil Co. of N. Y Oil " 667 

Star, Long Island, Publishing Co Printing 36 

Star Ribbon Mfg. Co Silk ribbons 273 

Stein-Davies Co Starch products 12 

Steinway & Sons Pianos 417 

Steinway & Sons Pianos 589 

Stewart, J. H Structural iron work 12 

Steubner, G. L., Iron Works Dumping btickets and cars SO 

Sulzberger & Sons Co Pickling sheepskins 16 

Sweeney & Gray Machinery 10 

Thibault & Walker Co Varnish 18 

Thomson, John. Press Co Printing presses 82 

Tisdale Lumber Co Woodwork 92 

Toch Brothers Varnish and paint 38 

Traitel Marble Co Marble cutting and polishing Ill 

Universal Electric Welding Co Machinery 18 

Van Iderstine Co Tallow, glue and bone products 101 

Voska, Foelsch & Sidlo Marble cutting and polishing 40 

Ward's Dry Dock Boats 26 

Wagner, Julius, Machine Works Machinery 15 

Weissberg-Baer Co Woodwork 156 

Welin, Davit & Lane & Degroot Co Life boats 38 

West Disinfecting Co Disinfectants 98 

Wild, Joseph, & Co.'s Astoria Carpet Mills Rugs 66 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



29 




SoHMER Piano Co., Long Island City (Astoria) 



No. of 
Name Product Manufactured Employees 

Willey, C. A., Co \^arnish and colors 14 

Williamson, D. D Sulphur and malt coloring 14 

Wilson, W. D., Printing Ink Co Printing ink 13 

Wotherspoon Plaster Mills Plaster of Paris 104 

Wranek, Frank Pearl buttons 21 

Young & Metzner Jute bags 91 

133 small factories 498 

Maspeth. 

Adler's Monument & Granite Works Granite and marble cutting and polishing 100 

Apmann & Meyer Bread 19 

Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co Car repairing 24 

Gating, James Hope 20 

Gleason-Tiebout Glass Co Globes 157 

Hardenburgh, Mrs. James Pants 14 

Hardy, Voorhees & Co Woodwork 161 

Jacobs, S.) & Sons Hotbed sash 23 

Kneip, Mary Pants 10 

Maryanov, Harry Overalls 38 

Merrill Brothers Machinery 39 

Metropolitan Dairy Co Bottled milk 11 

National Corrugated Paper & Box Co Paper boxes 15 

Pelletier, Napoleon Tin cans 17 

Quezal Art Glass & Decorating Co Glass novelties 21 

Reich, Valentine E Hotbed sash 10 

Richey, Browne & Donald, Inc .Structural and ornamental bronze and iron work. . . 287 

Stiner, Mrs. A. Pants 13 

18 small factories 61 

Middle Village. 

Dubinsky. Isaac Wrappers 25 

1 small factory 3 

Morris Park. 

Long Island R. R. Co Car and locomotive repairing 781 

7 small factories 17 

North Beach. 

2 small factories 6 

Ozone Park. 

Gillespie, Earl A Woodwork 12 

Werbin & Shedlin Brothers Shirts 26 

8 small factories 19 

Queens. 

Callister, Thos Wagons 35 

1 small factory 6 

Richmond Hill. 

DeMuth, Wm., & Co Tobacco pipes 542 

Haugaard, W. C, Co Woodwork 22 

Keiner- Williams Stamping Co Milk cans and soda water tanks 123 

Reed, A. L.. Co Fancy leather goods and novelties 19 

Richmond Hill Foundry Co Iron castings 38 

28 small factories 87 



30 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Name 

Basch, Herman, & Co - _ 

Cathrein Mfg. Co Leather goods 

Concord Construction Co Iron work .. 

Germania Cornice Works Co >kyliglits and cornices 

Irving Knitting Mill Sweaters 

Muller Paper Goods Co Paper novelties 

Poll, George, & Co Metal furniture 

Rustmann, John Bread 

Schoenberger, John Coats 

Sprower. F., Brush Mfg. Co Brushes 

Standard Knitting Mills Co Underwear 



No. of 
Product Manufactured Employees 

Ridgci^'ood Heights. 

. Fur dyeing 40 



10 
27 
15 
52 
15 
26 
13 
27 
22 
^ _ 364 

51 small factories • HI 

Rockaway Beach. 

Arverne Hygeia Ice Co Ice 22 

Crabbe, Charles, Co. ..... .^ House trim 34 

10 

85 



Herschman-Bleier-Edelstein Co Bakery 

Jamaica Bay Mfg. Co Ice 

Lechtman Laundry Co Laundering 



Car repairing 13 

15 



Long Island R. R. Co. 

Oueens Borough Gas & Electric Light Co Gas 

Rockaway Baking Co Bakery 43 

2 1 small factories 79 

Rosedale. 

1 small factory 5 

South Osone. 

2 small factories 3 

Union Course. 

Bredt, F., & Co Chemicals 16 

Forest Park Hygeia Ice Co Ice 14 

Hammerly, Richard Embroideries 21 

12 small factories 25 

]]'hitestone. 

Lackner, John, Co Paper novelties 21 

Long Island R. R. Co Boat repairing 69 

Trilsch, Oscar. Co Jewelry cases 48 

6 small factories 1 1 

Winfield. 

Albrecht, F. A Pearl buttons 23 

Albrecht Brothers Pearl buttons 39 

Manhattan Fireproof Door Co Metalic house trim 108 

Moisant International Aviators' Co Aeroplanes 10 

Schwanda, Benedict Pearl buttons 48 

Sibak, Albert Pearl buttons 17 

Wagner, Vincent Pearl buttons 22 

Wagner, William Pearl buttons 16 

6 small factories 16 

Woodhaven. 

Druckerman, L. & M Bqnnaz embroideries 32 

Lalance & Grosjean Mfg. Co Enameled ware 1407 

Nusbaum, D., & Co Knit underwear 82 

Spear & Co Caps 295 

13 small factories 36 

Woodside. 

New York & Queens County Ry. Co Car repairing 124 

5 small factories 14 









Lalance & Grojean Mfg. Co., Woodhaven. Manufacturers of Agate Nickel-Steel Ware. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



31 



Queens Borough to Realize Immediate Bene- 
fit from Gigantic Dual Subway System 
of New York City Now Rapidly 
Nearing Completion 




HE most important improvement today in the Borough 
of Queens is the early completion and operation of all 
the rapid transit extensions into the Borough that are 
included in the Dual Subway System. This great system 
of rapid transit, adopted by the Board of Estimate and 
the Public Service Commission on March 19, 1913, will 
prove of inestimable value to the Borough of Queens both for its future 
development and the convenience of its riding public. It includes both 
the elevated and subway lines of the Interborough Rapid Transit Co. and 




Elevated Extension to Astoria, Showing Station at Beebe Ave., Near Jackson Ave. 

Taken April 12, 1914. 



Photo 



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Elevated Construction on Roosevelt Ave. Route Through Elmhurst and Corona. 

Taken November 8, 1914. 



Photo 




STAT E N 

TTtta-n-d 



NEfl INTERBOROUSH UHCS 
HEW B.R.T. LimS 

ZONG ISLAND R.R. 



Map Showing Both the Rapid Transit Extensions of the Dual Subway System and the 
Electrified Lines of the Long Island Railroad in Queens Borough. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



33 



the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co., and will comprise not only the 295 miles 
of existing trackage of these two companies, but 324 miles of new con- 
struction, or a total of 620 miles of single track. The value of the en- 
tire system, including the estimated cost and equipment, will be over 
$500,000,000. All of this gigantic system will be at the disposal of 
Queens Borough for a five-cent fare. 

The following tabulation gives a list of the extensions from Man- 
hattan and Brooklyn into various sections of the Borough of Queens, 
which are included in the Dual Subway System. For the purpose of clear- 
ness these lines are divided into two groups, viz. : 

"Group A." — Extensions into the First and Second Wards from 
Manhattan which will connect with the Transfer Station on the Bridge 
Plaza, Long Island City. 

"Group B." — Extensions into the Second and Fourth Wards 
from Brooklyn to be operated by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co. 



Line 

Steinway Tunnel from 
Grand Central Station to 
Long Island City 

Extension of Steinway Tun- 
nel to Queensboro Bridge 
Plaza, Long Island City. . 

Broadway-59th Street Line 
from 7th Avenue across 
East River to Long 
Island City 

Extension of 2nd Avenue 
"L," Manhattan, across 
East River to Long 
Island City 

Astoria Line from Bridge 
Plaza northerly through 
2nd Avenue to Ditmars 
Avenue 

Woodside and Corona Ex- 
tension easterly from 
Bridge Plaza over Queens 
Boulevard, Greenpoint 
Avenue and Roosevelt 
Avenue to Elmhurst and 
Corona 

Extension from Cypress 
Hills, Brooklyn, over Ja- 
maica Avenue to Grand 
Street, Jamaica 

Extension from City Line, 
Brooklyn, over Liberty 
Avenue to Lefferts Ave- 
nue, Richmond Hill 

Myrtle Avenue Extension 
to Lutheran Cemetery, 
Ridgewood 

3 



Type of No. of 

Construction Miles Tracks Operated by 

Group A. 



Subway 
Elevated 



L60 2 Interboro R. T. Co. 

0.89 2 Interboro R. T. Co. 



Subway & Elev. 2.23 2 Brooklyn R. T. Co. 



Elevated 



Elevated 



L64 2 Interboro R. T. Co. 



2.51 3 I. R. T. & B. R. T. Co. 



Elevated 



Group B. 



Elevated 

Elevated 
Elevated 



5.48 3 I. R. T. & B. R. T. Co. 

4.44 3 Brooklyn R. T. Co. 

2.16 3 Brooklyn R. T. Co. 

1.00 2 Brooklyn R. T. Co. 



34 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

CONTRACTS AWARDED TO DATE. 

The following table gives a list of the contracts which have been let 
to January 1, 1915, for construction of extensions in Queens, and con- 
nections for same In Manhattan: 

(Group A.) 

Per Cent. 
Time to Completed 
Line Contract Deli'vered Contractor Amount Complete Feb. 1, 1915 

1. Extension of Steinway Rapid Transit 
Tunnel to Grand Cen- Subway Con- 

tral Station Dec. 2,1914 struction Co. $3,097,312 28 months 3 

Rapid Transit 

2. Steinway Tunnel Re- Subway Con- 
construction April 13, 1914 struction Co. $383,910 9 months 85 

3. Extension of Steinway 

Tunnel to Queensboro Degnon Con- 
Bridge Plaza Dec. 31,1913 tracting Co. $557,856 18 months 43 

4. Bridge Plaza Transfer 

Station Oct. 7,1913 Snare & Triest $884,859 24 months 51 

5. Astoria Extension ... Mar. 11,1913 Cooper & Evans $860,743 18 months 100 

6. Extension to Wood- E. E. Smith 

side and Corona Mar. 11, 1913 Contracting Co. $2,063,588 18 months 86 

(Group B.) 

7. Liberty Avenue Ex- 
tension Feb. 9, 1914 Phoenix Bridge Co. $707,661 12 months 89 

8. Myrtle Avenue Exten- F. W. Burnham 

sion to Ridgewood... Feb. 27, 1914 and Others $500,000 5 months 100 

Great Benefit to Queens. 

When all of these rapid transit extensions are completed and In 
operation a majority of the residents of the Borough will be able to travel 
from their homes to not only the business districts in Manhattan, but to 
all sections of the five boroughs of New York City, conveniently, rapidly, 
and for a five-cent fare. While It Is expected that the whole system will be 
In operation In the year 1917, it is also Intended that parts of the system 
will be put in operation from time to time as fast as completed, so that 
long before the time set for complete operation Queens will secure im- 
mediate use of a large part of the Dual Subway System. 

It is almost Impossible to exaggerate the effect of this improvement 
on Queens Borough. Since the operation of the present subway com- 
menced In 1904 passengers have been able to travel from Brooklyn and 
lower Manhattan to the most northerly points In Manhattan and the 
Bronx — a distance from 10 to 17 miles — for five cents, resulting In the 
construction of hundreds of new apartment buildings, the establishment of 
thousands of new homes, as well as a remarkable Increase in realty values 
in these districts, which had been largely undeveloped land previous to 
the operation of rapid transit lines Into them. But right across the East 
River, only a mile or two from the heart of the business section of Man- 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 35 

hattan, Queens was without adequate transit facilities, and had no con- 
nection whatever with the rapid transit lines of the city. Its only rail 
connection was by trolley cars, requiring in most cases an additional fare 
to reach the desired destinations in the business or shopping sections; or 
by the trains of the Long Island Railroad, which was still more expensive. 
The progress of the Borough, despite this lack of cheaper transit facil- 
ities has been remarkable. What it will be in the next 10 years, with 
transit facilities equal, and in many cases superior, to every other section 
of New York City, will surprise even the most confident. Today Queens 
is on the threshold of the most wonderful development that has ever 
occurred in any part of New York City, or for that matter, in any city of 
the world. 

These rapid transit extensions into Queens will serve as an outlet for 
the expansion of the congested population of Manhattan into the thou- 
sands of acres of undeveloped land in all parts of the Borough and will 
make cheaper homes with plenty of light and air more accessible for those 
w^ho are employed in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Transit Centers. 

With the present and proposed rapid transit facilities, there will be 
three important transit centers in the Borough, as follows : 

A — Queenshoro Bridge Plaza, Long Island City. 

From this point, which will be a very important transit center and 
transfer point, rapid transit lines will radiate in all directions. 

(1) To the north, a three-track elevated line through Jackson 
Avenue to Second Avenue to Ditmars Avenue, Astoria, to be operated 
jointly by the Interborough and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Companies. 
Astoria will be only 13 minutes from Grand Central Station. 

(2) To the east, across Diagonal Street and over the Sunnyside 
Yards to, Thomson Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue to Woodside, and 
Roosevelt Avenue to Elmhurst and Corona, a three-track line, to be 
operated jointly by the Interborough and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit 
Companies. This line will be continued out Roosevelt Avenue from 
Corona Into Flushing and Bayslde. Corona and Elmhurst will be IS to 18 
minutes from Grand Central Station. 

(3) To the south will be the extension of the Stelnway Tunnel from 
its mouth at Van Alst and 4th Street, to be operated by the Interborough 
in connection with the present and proposed subways In Manhattan. Also 
the proposed extension of the elevated lines of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit 
Co., known as the Queensboro Bridge-Crosstown line, will run southward 



36 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

from the Bridge Plaza, connecting with all the elevated lines in Brooklyn, 
and giving a direct north and south route to Coney Island. 

(4) To the west, across the East River into Manhattan will 
operate the trains of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit, connecting with the 
59th Street, 7th Avenue and Broadway Subways, and also the extension 
of the 2nd Avenue elevated line of the Interborough. 

The station on the Bridge Plaza will be 480 feet long, with two 
levels, each having four tracks, or eight tracks in all. The lower level 
of the station will be for trains to Manhattan, while the upper level will 
be for trains to Astoria, Corona, and to Brooklyn. The north platforms 
on both decks will be for Brooklyn Rapid Transit trains, while the south 
platforms on both decks will be for the Steinway Tunnel and Second 
Avenue trains of the Interborough. The station will have entrances on 
North and South Jane Streets, at Crescent and Prospect Streets. The 
entrances will lead to a mezzanine floor and above will be the two levels 
of the station, all trains on the same deck going in the same direction. 

The express running time from this station through the Steinway 
Tunnel to the Grand Central Station on the present subway will be ap- 
proximately six minutes, or less than it now takes to go from Borough 
Hall, Brooklyn, to Park Row, New York. 

B — Jamaica, L. I. 

While the entire Fourth W^ard will receive great benefit from the 
rapid transit extensions through Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Morris Park, 
and Richmond Hill, Jamaica will become a greater transit center than ever. 
It is now the railroad center of Long Island and is also a great trolley 
center. With the completion of the third tracking of the Broadway and 
Fulton Street elevated lines in Brooklyn, and the construction of the ex- 
tensions from the City Line (Brooklyn) over Liberty Avenue to Lef- 
ferts Avenue, Richmond Hill, and from Cypress Hills (Brooklyn) over 
Jamaica Avenue to Grand Street, Jamaica, this entire section will be 
brought from 15 to 30 minutes nearer Manhattan for a five-cent fare 
than is possible at present. 

Trains operating over these elevated lines will enter Manhattan 
across the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges and Into the 
Centre Street loop, and also through the new Brooklyn Rapid Transit 
Tunnel under the East River at the Battery. This will give to all the 
central and southern portions of Queens Borough rapid transit facilities 
equal to those of any other section of the city. The running time from 
Jamaica to Park Row will be 34 minutes; from Richmond Hill, 29 min- 
utes; from Morris Park, 28 minutes, and from Woodhaven and Ozone 
Park, 25 minutes. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



37 



C — JVoodside, L. I. 

At the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and the six tracks of the 
Long Island Railroad there will be a joint transfer station that will be of 
the utmost importance to all Long Island. Passengers coming from any 
division of the Long Island Railroad, whether the North Shore, the Main 
Line, the Montauk Division, or the Rockaway Divisions, will be able to 
transfer directly at this point to the elevated lines of both the Inter- 
borough and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit, connecting with the Queens- 
boro Bridge Plaza and the Steinway Tunnel. In other words, all Long 
Island Railroad passengers will have at their disposal the whole of the 
city's comprehensive transit system for a five-cent fare from Woodside. 




The accompanying perspective sketch, prepared by the Public Ser- 
vice Commission, shows the joint station layout at Woodside. The ele- 
vated railroad tracks and platforms are on the highest level and the Long 
Island Railroad tracks and platforms on the lowest level. Between these 
two levels Is a mezzanine floor to facilitate the transfer of passengers 
from the railroad to the elevated lines or vice versa. 



Jamaica Avenue Extension. 

This extension has been completely legalized by property owners' 
consents and plans have been prepared by the Public Service Commission 
and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co. for Its Immediate construction. The 
Public Service Commission has approved the plans for the construction 
of the first section, extending from Cypress Hills to Richmond Hill, and 
work has now been started on this extension. The balance of the ex- 



38 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Hudson Street Station on Liberty Ave. Elevated Extension. Photo Taken December 

10, 1914. 

tension, from Richmond Hill to Jamaica, will be constructed just as 
soon as the topographical map has been amended, so that the street width 
of Jamaica Avenue is definitely fixed. 

Operation of trains over the extensions on Jamaica Avenue and 
Liberty Avenue will commence just as soon as the construction work is 
completed and the stations are finished. Operation on the Myrtle Ave- 
nue extension to the Lutheran Cemetery started on February 22, 1915. 

Flushing-Bayside Extension. 

The elevated extension from Long Island City through Woodside, 
Elmhurst and Corona, included in the Dual Subway Contracts, extends 
only to Sycamore Avenue, Corona. It is proposed, however, to operate 
an extension from that point through Flushing to Bayside, and the Public 
Service Commission, on April 22, 1913, adopted the "Flushing-Bayside 
Route." This was approved by the Board of Estimate on June 12, 1913, 
and property owners' consents have been obtained to complete its legali- 
zation. It is expected that the construction of this extension as far as 
Main Street, Flushing, will be made within the next two years, and later 
to Bayside, 

Steinway Tunnel, 

The first rapid transit line to be operated from Manhattan into Queens 
Borough will be the Steinway Tunnel. Temporary operation of a shuttle 
service will start during the spring of 1915, according to assurances received 
from both the Public Service Commission and the Interborough Rapid 
Transit Co. The contract for the reconstruction of the tunnel includes a 
provision for temporary operation of trains from its present terminus in 
Long Island City (Van Alst Avenue and 4th Street) to its present terminus 
in Manhattan (between Lexington and Third Avenues), where transfer 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



39 



privilege will be granted without payment of an additional fare to the 
subway station at Grand Central Station. 

The contract for the construction of the extension of the tunnel, 
from its present terminus in Manhattan to Grand Central Station, is now 
under way, and it is expected that within a year trains will operate direct 
to that point, doing away with the necessity for transfers. Also by that 
time it is expected that trains will be in operation in Long Island City to 
the Bridge Plaza station, and over the extensions to Astoria and Corona. 

The Long Island Railroad has completed a new station at the mouth 
of the Steinway Tunnel in Long Island City, and upon operation of shut- 
tle service through the tunnel, passengers coming from New York can 
transfer at that point direct to the electric trains of the Long Island 
Railroad, and be taken to any part of the Borough of Queens or Long 
Island. 




Reconstruction Work at Mouth of Steinway Tunnel in Long Island City. 

Taken June 6, 1914. 



Photo 



Rapid Transit Map. 

The Rapid Transit Map, issued as a supplement to this book, shows 
very clearly, in different colors, the three separate systems of rapid transit 
included in the Dual Subway System. The map effectively demonstrates 
how Queens Borough will have the benefit of all three systems of rapid 
transit, which neither Brooklyn nor the Bronx will receive, as the Brook- 
lyn Rapid Transit System does not extend north of 59th Street, Man- 
hattan, and the Interborough elevated lines do not reach Brooklyn. The 
map also shows how the Astoria and Corona extensions will be operated 
jointly by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit and Interborough Rapid Transit 
Companies. In addition, the map clearly indicates that, in point of time, 
a greater portion of the Borough will be nearer the heart of Manhattan 
than either the Boroughs of Brooklyn or the Bronx. 



40 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

TUNNEL UNDER EAST RIVER AT 60TH STREET. 

The Dual Subway Contracts provided for carrying both the Interboro 
Second Avenue elevated trains and the subway trains of the Brooklyn 
Rapid Transit Broadway-59th Street line across the Queensboro Bridge 
to connect with the transfer station on the Bridge Plaza in Long Island 
City. When it was realized that the proposed arrangement for 
carrying these trains across the Bridge would result In a serious 
reduction in the present vehicular roadway width of 52 feet, the Queens 
Chamber of Commerce urged that a new plan be prepared to provide for 
additional roadway space on the upper level to compensate for any pro- 
posed reduction of the present roadway, for up to that time the only plans 
presented for the construction of a tunnel would have necessitated an 
entire rearrangement of the transit system In Queens and caused a serious 
delay In the operation of trains. The Bridge Department then 
prepared a plan for bringing the trains across the Bridge which included 
two separate vehicular roadways of 26 feet in width, one on each level. 
Under that plan, the southerly half of the upper level would be used for 
the operation of the Interboro Second Avenue elevated trains and the 
northerly half of the present roadway to be used for the operation of the 
subway trains of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company. 

The Degnon Contracting Co., however, presented a plan in Decem- 
ber, 1914, for building two tunnels under the East River, north of the 
Queensboro Bridge, for the operation of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit sub- 
way trains. The advantages of this plan are that It leaves the present 
wide roadway for vehicles Intact; it does not necessitate any rearrangement 
of the transit lines In Queens; nor interfere with the early inauguration of 
rapid transit service of trains from the Steinway Tunnel, and the Second 
Avenue "L," through the passenger station on the Bridge Plaza and over 
the extensions to Astoria and Corona. 

The Board of Estimate, on February 19th, 1915, officially approved 
the tunnel method of bringing the Brooklyn Rapid Transit trains across 
the East River, and have requested the Public Service Commission to 
draft a bill for submission to the legislature authorizing the tunnel. Un- 
der the law, the Public Service Commission has the power to Initiate all 
rapid transit matters and will have to formally adopt this new plan before 
the Board of Estimate can appropriate the necessary money for the work. 
On March 5th the Board of Estimate ordered plans prepared Immediately 
for the operation of the Second Avenue "L" trains across the Bridge on 
the southerly side of the upper level. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



41 



Stations on Nezv Lines. 

Approximate Location 
Station of Platform 

Steinivay Tunnel 

Grand Central (Manh.) Centered on Lexington Ave. 

Vernon-Jackson Aves Centered between Vernon and 

Jackson Aves. 

Hunters Point Ave Centered between 4th St. and 

Hunters Point Ave. 

Ely Ave Centered on 12th St. 

Queensboro Plaza Express Centered between Crescent and 

Prospect Sts. 

'^ Woodside and Corona Line 

Rawson St Centered between Rawson and 

Moore Sts. 

Lowery St Centered on Lowery St. 

Bliss St Centered between Bliss and 

Carolln Sts. 
Lincoln Ave Centered between Lincoln and 

Grout Aves. 
Woodside, Ex Centered between 8th St. and 

Poe Place 

Broadway Centered on Broadway 

25th St Centered on 25th St. 

Elmhurst Ave Centered between 32nd and 

34th Sts. 

Junction Ave., Ex Centered on Junction Ave. 

Alburtis Ave Centered between Alburtis 

~-~~ Ave. and 46th St. 

Astoria Line 

Beebe Ave Centered on Beebe Ave. 

Washington Ave Centered on Washington Ave. 

Broadway Centered on Broadway 

Grand Ave Centered on Grand Ave. 

Hoyt Ave., Ex Centered at Hoyt and Flush- 
ing Aves. 

Ditmars Ave Centered between Ditmars and 

Potter Aves. 



Approximate Location 
of Entrances 

Between Park and Lexington 
Aves. 

Jackson Ave. 

4th St. and Hunters Point Ave. 
12th St. and Jackson Ave. 

Prospect and Crescent Sts. 



Rawson and Moore Sts. 
Lowery St. 

Bliss and Carolin Sts. 

Lincoln and Grout Aves. 

8th St., L. L R. R. 

Broadway 

25th St. 

Elmhurst Ave. 
Junction Ave. 

Between 46th St. and Alburtis 
Ave. 

Beebe Ave. 

Washington Ave. 
Broadway 
Grand Ave. 

Hoyt Ave. 

Between Ditmars and Potter 

Aves. 



The following are the stations of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit system 
from Brooklyn into the Second and Fourth Wards of Queens: 



Liberty Avenue Line 
Hudson Street 
Boyd Avenue 
Rockaway Boulevard 
Oxford Avenue 
Greenwood Avenue 
Lefferts Avenue 



Myrtle Avenue Extension to Lutheran 

Cemetery 
Seneca Avenue 
Forest Avenue 
Fresh Pond Road 
Lutheran Cemetery 



Jamaica Avenue Extension. 



Section I (Crescent St. to Myrtle Ave.) 
Tentatively located. Not named . 

Between Crescent and R. R. Ave. 
" Eldert and Eads Ave. 
" Forest Parkway and Serry St. 
" Woodhaven Ave. and Manor Ave. 
" Freedom Ave. and Oxford St. 
" Greenwood Av. and Stoothoff Av. 



Section II (Myrtle Ave. to Grand St.) 
Not located . The following suggested : 

Spruce' St., Richmond Hill 
Metropolitan Ave., Richmond Hill 
Queens Boulevard, Jamaica 
Branford St., Jamaica 
Underbill Ave., Jamaica 
Bergen Ave., Jamaica 




42 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

Trolley Lines 

ROBABLY no other Borough in New York City has 
depended more in the past on a trolley system of trans- 
portation for its upbuilding than has Queens Borough. 
With trolley lines radiating to all parts of the Borough, 
and connecting many widely separated communities, 
Queens began to grow to its present importance. 
The most important addition to the trolley facilities of the Borough 
during the past two years was the completion of the line of the Man- 
hattan & Queens Traction Corporation from Long Island City to Jamaica. 
This line, which operates from Second Avenue, Manhattan, across the 
Queensboro Bridge and over Queens Boulevard to Jamaica, giving a five- 
cent fare for a distance of over 10 miles, was put in operation as far as 
Winfield in January, 1913, and to the new Long Island Railroad station 
in Jamaica in January, 1914. Modern, side-door passenger cars, which 
make this trip in about 45 minutes, have made accessible for greater home 
development thousands of acres of land through the center of the Borough 
which formerly had no transit except one or two stations on the main line 
of the Long Island Railroad. A great building movement has been stim- 
ulated along the entire length of this new trolley as a result of a five-cent 
fare from Jamaica to Manhattan. The line will be continued south 
from Jamaica through St. Albans, and over Central Avenue to the Nassau 
County line. 

The operation of the cars of the Third Avenue Railroad Co. from 
Manhattan across the Queensboro Bridge has been a great boon to 
the industrial development of Long Island City, as it has made available 
the great labor supply of Manhattan and the Bronx at a five-cent fare 
for the many factories which have located in the vicinity of the Bridge 
Plaza. Passengers are carried on this line from Long Island City across 
the Queensboro Bridge down Third Avenue to Park Row, or northward 
to the Bronx, and crosstown on 42nd Street to the North River. 

Jamaica has become a very important trolley center of the Borough 
and passengers can travel from that point to Park Row, Manhattan, for 
a five-cent fare either entirely by trolley or by transfer to the elevated 
line of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co. at Cypress Hills; also, via Flush- 
ing and Long Island City across the Queensboro Bridge to Second Avenue. 
Plans have been prepared for a new double track electric trolley 
line which will run from the terminus of the rapid transit elevated line 
at Corona to the present terminus of the Motor Parkway at Rockaway 
Hill Road. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



43 





.^'^T^^SKk^^ 


fcfi^^l-31 


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iy 



Side Door Car Operated by Manhattan & Queens Traction Corporation on Queens 
Boulevard; Station on Elevated Railroad, Showing Concrete Form of Construction. 

Photo Taken February, 1915. 

The following table shows the growth of street railway traffic on 
lines operating in Queens from 1898 to 1914: 



Year 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 



No. of Fares 
Collected 
9,128,804 
9,472,460 
11,441,751 
11,564,062 
13,564,062 
15,689,210 
16,701,653 
20,533,487 
25,151,054 
28,514,743 
29,797,750 
30,545,776 
34,430,074 
42,522,485 
45,182,732 
47,463,382 
49,973,696 



Annual 
Increase 

343,656 
1,969,291 

122,311 
2,155,325 
1,969,823 
1,012,443 
3,831,834 
4,617,567 
3,363,689 
1,283,007 

748,026 
3,884,298 
8,092,411 
2,660,247 
2,280,650 
2,510,314 



Per Cent 
Increase 

3.7 
20.8 

1.1 
18.6 
14.4 

6.5 
22.9 
22.5 
13.4 

4.5 

2.5 
12.7 
23.4 

6.2 

5.0 

5.3 



The following table gives the traffic on the various trolley com- 
panies operating all or in part of the Borough of Queens, for the past 
three years, but does not include the traffic on the various trolley lines 
operated by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co., such as the line on Jamaica 
Avenue from Cypress Hills to Jamaica, which carries over a million pas- 
sengers a month : 



Length of 
Railroad Route (Miles) 

1— New York & Queens Co. Rv 75.35 

2 — New York & Long Island Tract. Co.. . 41.31 

3— Long Island Elec. Ry. Co 26.56 

4 — New York & North Shore Tract. Co... 3 7. 68 

5— Ocean Elec. Ry. Co 8.59 

6 — Manhattan & Queens Tract. Corp 17.29 

Total 206.78 



No. of Fare Passengers 
for Year Ending June 30 



1912 


1913 


1914 


25,450,728 


26,950,656 


26,744,147 


7,834,539 


8,040,320 


8,088,288 


3,826,087 


4,084,666 


4,367,692 


2,755,140 


2,761,466 


2,878,546 


2,647,904 


2,876,607 


3,171,551 


2,668,334 


2,753,299 


4,723,472 


45,182,732 


47,467,014 


49,973,696 



44 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Residential Advantages 

HE natural advantages of Queens are so great that it is 
rapidly outstripping the other Boroughs of New York 
City in residential and general development. It lies near- 
est the center of activities of the biggest city in the United 
States, for, striking a ten-mile radius from Herald Square 
in Manhattan, more of the H? square miles of the 
Borough of Queens would be included in that circle than of any other 
Borough of New York City. 

The accessibility of homes in the Borough of Queens for the workers 
of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and the great industrial growth within the 
Borough, has produced the wonderful development of the past few years. 
The electrification of the Atlantic Avenue Division of the Long Island 
Railroad, coupled with the extension of the subway from the Battery, in 
Manhattan, to Flatbush Avenue Station, Brooklyn; the opening of the 
Queensboro Bridge in 1909; the opening of the Pennsylvania Station in 
1910, and the inauguration of electric service of the Long Island Railroad 
to that Station; the many miles of new trolley lines which have been built, 
have all combined to bring a greater portion of the Borough of Queens 
within a few minutes of the business sections of Manhattan and Brooklyn. 
For one who loves the soil and grass or who cherishes the trees and 
pure air, a new life is opened. Ten minutes after boarding a modern 
electric train of the Long Island Railroad at the new Pennsylvania Station, 
one finds himself looking out upon neat suburban homes and gardens, re- 
freshing the eyes wearied of the city with its scenes of rush and bustle, and 
its monotonous stretches of brick and stone. Art and architecture, com- 
bined with nature and transportation, are rendering all portions of the 
Borough of Queens the most attractive residential section of New York 
City. 

With every natural advantage of diversified country, of cheap, rapid 
and comfortable transit facilities, an ideal climate, attractive surround- 
ings and moderate priced land values, with its refined and cultured popu- 
lation, with its schools, churches and clubs among the best in the country, 
the Borough of Queens offers the home seeker all that can be desired. 
Here one can find the joys of golf, fishing, boating, and all other outdoor 
games, as well as the delightful summer resorts on the Atlantic Ocean 
and Long Island Sound. 

Queens Will Make Round City. 
The most eflicient city from a residential, commercial, industrial and 
social standpoint is a "Round City," or one that has grown equally In 




Types of Dwellings. 



Jamaica 

Broadway- Flushing 
Jamaica Hillcrest 



douglaston 
Kew Gardens 
Forest Hills Gardens 



46 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



all directions from the business center. For generations New York City 
has suffered all the evils of congested population due to its narrowness, 
and the barriers of the East and North Rivers prevented the spreading 
of population. The average density of population in Manhattan today 
is 180 persons to the acre, whereas the average in Queens is only 5 per- 
sons to an acre. With thousands of acres of land still undeveloped, there 
is every opportunity in Queens for the population of the city to spread 
out. With hill and dale, woodland and open field, all the advantages of 
a home in the country are still available within the biggest Borough — 
combined with the facilities for reaching the office or workshop in sur- 
prisingly short time. 

The first step toward rounding out the city was the opening of the 
bridges and tunnel to Brooklyn, resulting in the doubling of population 
in that Borough during the past twenty years. The complete rounding 
out of the city, however, will be during the next ten years in the Borough 
of Queens. The opening of the Queensboro Bridge, and electric train 
service from both Brooklyn and Manhattan, have already removed the 
East River as a barrier to its growth; and now the opening of the Stein- 
way Tunnel under the East River from 42nd Street, the operation of 
the Second Avenue elevated trains across the Queensboro Bridge, and 
the new Brooklyn Rapid Transit subway across the East River at 59th 




Street Scene, Richmond Hill. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



47 



Street, and the two elevated extensions from Brooklyn to Jamaica, will 
add such facilities for home seekers that it can be safely predicted that 
within the next five to ten years there will be a complete transformation of 
all the Borough of Queens lying within 10 miles of the East River. 
Long Island Railroad Service. 
The admirable, silent, swift and smokeless trains of the electrified 
Long Island Railroad give unequalled service to all parts of the Borough. 
With the rapid transit elevated extensions from both Brooklyn and Man- 
hattan supplementing these facilities and giving a five-cent fare to every 
part of New York, Queens will not only be on an equal basis with every 
other part of the city, but will have facilities far superior to those en- 
joyed by the other Boroughs. When it is realized that residents of a 
greater portion of the Borough can reach the business, shopping and 
theatrical centers of Manhattan in less time than residents of the Bronx, 
Brooklyn, and some portions of Manhattan, the transformation which is 
taking place will not seem remarkable. 




South Ave., East From Broadway, Far Rockaway. 

Influence of Industrial Development. 
One of the most important factors now stimulating the residential 
growth of Queens is the marvelous increase in modern factory construc- 
tion throughout the Borough. Every new industry radiates its in- 
fluence to every nook and corner of the Borough. Long Island City, with 
its waterfront, as well as rail facilities, is becoming the great manufac- 
turing center of New York City, and every new manufacturing concern 
locating there, or in other parts of the Borough, requires new homes for 



48 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

all classes of employees. For instance, the 532 employees, who live in 
Queens, of five new industries recently located in Long Island City, were 
distributed as follows: Long Island City, 186; Astoria, 193; Elmhurst, 
33; Woodside, 17; Winfield, 11; Corona, 38; Flushing, 34; Maspeth, 13; 
Jamaica, 5 ; College Point, 3 ; Bayside, 1 ; Forest Park, 1 ; Rockaway, 1 ; 
Richmond Hill, 4; Whitestone, 1; Woodhaven, 1. 

A gigantic pent-up metropolis, through the aid of bridges and transit, 
has burst its bonds, and a deluge of trade and population is pouring into 
Queens. The construction of immense plants is drawing masses of 
workers from all parts of the country, who must be housed and fed and 
supplied with living necessities, thus creating demands for new and more 
local forms of business. It means homes must be scattered through all 
the adjacent suburban districts where land is cheap and transit good. 

Demand For Houses and Apartments. 

Statistics were recently compiled by the Chamber to show the number 
of employees, and their residences, in the factories in Long Island City, and 
also for similar establishments in Woodhaven, Jamaica, Richmond Hill, 
College Point, etc. The object of the compilation was to secure informa- 
tion as to whether or not Queens furnishes an attractive field for prospective 
builders. The results demonstrated the necessity for a greater construc- 
tion of homes of all types. In 24 factories in Long Island City only 54 
per cent of the employees lived in Queens, 14 per cent in Manhattan, 28 
per cent in Brooklyn and 4 per cent in other parts of the city. Figures 
of employees in factories in other sections of the Borough showed sim- 
ilar results. 

A striking illustration of this fact is shown by the figures giving the 
location of the homes of the employees of just one new big industry, the 
Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, recently located in Long Island City. In 
January, 1915, this factory had 1,038 employees, 487 of whom lived in 
the Borough of Queens, 312 in Brooklyn, and 211 in Manhattan. With 
additional housing facilities a greater proportion of the employees would 
live in Queens. The homes of the 487 employees living in Queens were 
distributed as follows: 

Elmhurst 13 Flushing 6 

Woodside 12 Laurel Hill 11 

Maspeth 49 L. I. City 86 

Corona 39 Astoria 162 

Winfield 5 Dutch Kills 48 

Jamaica 15 Miscellaneous 6 

College Point 35 

With this Information in mind, as well as the fact that new Industries 
with hundreds of employees are being established in Queens each week, 
it Is evident that the Borough of Queens offers the most attractive field 



1 1 



i i 



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I i ,1 fr' iJ ii p F I '•! S If k Ik I I. E I. ll 



1' 1 . . 

Ml, 




Apartment Houses Recently Constructed in Astoria. 




Types of Apartment Houses, 
Astoria 
Jackson Heights, Elmhurst 



Long Island City 
Queens 



50 CpI AMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE BOROUGH OF QuEENS. 

for builders in New York City. In every part of the Borough apartment 
houses or tenements are readily rented as soon as completed. In the last 
two years the erection of dwellings for occupation by wage earners has 
failed to satisfy the demand. 

Homes For All. 

Homes are available not only for factory workers, but for men in 
every walk of life, homes for the salaried man and the man in moderate 
circumstances, as well as the fine estates and dwellings of the wealthy. 
Queens possesses unsurpassed attractions for all — for the man who wishes 
his little garden patch where his desire for farming can be gratified, or 
for homes in modern apartment buifdings. 

Queens has been designated as the home Borough of the city, and 
that title was given official sanction by the United States Census Bureau 
in a recent statement in which it was pointed out that there are 62,000 
homes in the Borough, Of this number, 61,350 were urban homes, and 
of these, 20,909 were owned by the occupants. There are 39,639 rented 
urban homes in the Borough. 

Queens has been essentially the Borough of small homes, for land 
has been comparatively cheap when compared with values in Manhattan, 
Brooklyn and the Bronx, largely because of its isolation in the past through 
lack of tunnels, bridges and other methods of transit. Queens, however, 
is no longer isolated. 

Five years ago Queens hardly knew the presence of an apartment 
house, whereas there are hundreds In all parts of the Borough today. The 
official count of the Tenement House Department in 1914 showed there 
were 23,196 apartments in Queens, containing 92,379 rooms. This 
number included 776 four-room apartments, 532 five-room apartments, 
224 six-room apartments, 183 seven-room apartments, and 25 eight-room 
apartments. 

Types of Homes. 

An Interesting feature of the realty development of Queens has been 
the progress in certain areas of restricted property and high-class building 
sections built up entirely with one-family dwellings, ranging in cost from 
$5,000 to $50,000 each. The occupants, who are usually the owners, 
have come mostly from Manhattan, desiring the privacy of a home in a 
detached dwelling, and securing better accommodations for the same ex- 
penditure of money, or equal accommodations for less money. These 
sections include such locations as Flushing, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Forest 
Hills, Elmhurst, Corona, Whitestone, Bayside, College Point, Hollis, 
Queens, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Far Rockaway, and Rockaway 
Park, etc. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



51 



Another development has been the phenomenal growth in the Ridge- 
wood, Wyckoff Heights and Glendale sections, where from 3,000 to 4,000 
four, six and eight-family apartment houses have been built in the last few 
years. These areas are rapidly being built up solidly into brick blocks 
of model tenements where a family can rent a five or six-room apartment 
with all modern conveniences, and within 25 minutes of the downtown 
Manhattan office district, for $15 to $20 per month. 




Type of Six-Family Apartment Houses Erected in Ridgewood and Long Island City, 

Selected by the Tenement House Deft, of New York City to Exhibit at the 

Panama-Pacific Fair at San Francisco as Model Flats. 

In Long Island City a similar development of model tenements has 
been started and it is anticipated that many thousands of these homes 
will be constructed within the next few years. Also, in Long Island City, 
parts of Elmhurst, and scattered throughout the Borough, large modern 
apartment houses are now being erected, with apartments renting from 
$20 to $50 per month. 



Development Companies. 

In order to give some idea of the variety of home developments 
throughout the Borough the following table of some of the principal de- 
velopment companies has been compiled: 



52 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



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Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



53 



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54 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Long Island Railroad 




HE service rendered by the Long Island Railroad to resi- 
dents of all sections of Queens is distinctive. With the 
advantage of both electric and steam trains, under-river 
tunnels, and over 174 miles of running tracks within the 
Borough of Queens, and with modern all-steel car equip- 
ment, the transportation facilities offered by this railroad 
are ahead of those provided for any other section adjacent to Manhattan. 
In 1914 the Long Island Railroad operated 398 miles of line, of 
which 71 miles were in Queens Borough — some two, and others four and 
six tracks. There are today S6 miles of line and 157 miles of running 
track in Queens electrified, and 14 miles of line and 28 miles of running 
track not electrified. 

Since 1901, when the Pennsylvania Railroad acquired control of the 
Long Island Railroad, the entire system has been practically rebuilt, with 
an expenditure of over $50,000,000 for eliminating grade crossings, addi- 
tional tracks, rolling stock, stations, etc. All of this work has been done 
In conjunction with the vast improvements of the Pennsylvania system in 
and around New York City, estimated to have cost over one hundred 
million dollars. 

Improvements. 
North Shore Division. 

The completion of the electrification of the North Shore Division 
from WInfield to Port Washington, estimated to have cost $1,500,000, 
which Included the elimination of grade crossings through Flushing, and the 
inauguration of through electric service on this line has resulted In a 




New Station at Broadway-Flushing. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



55 



great saving of time to all residents on this branch, and has also done 
away with the former inconvenience of changing cars at Woodside. 

Jamaica Improvement. 

The biggest railroad improvement in the Borough during the past two 
years was the completion of the new Jamaica transfer station and yard, 
costing over $3,000,000. This station was opened to the public in March, 
1913. As a result of the improvement many dangerous highway crossings 
at grade were eliminated and passengers from all parts of Long Island are 
now afforded easy and quick transfers between trains, doing away with 
former delays. The station includes 12 passenger tracks and five wide 
platforms. The improvement also included the construction of a six- 
story, concrete-steel station and office building. The main station is now 
at Guilford Street, 1,500 feet west of the old station. 

The improvement has given a great stimulus to the development of 
Jamaica and other sections in the central and southern part of the Borough. 
The great increase in the yard capacity permits an increase in the number 
of trains without resulting in congestion and consequent delay and danger. 
The extent of the benefit of the improvement can be appreciated by the 
fact that 60,000 passengers pass through this station on an average for 
every day of the year. The freight business is separated absolutely from 




New Passenger Station and Office Building at Jamaica. 



56 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

the passenger business, moving on independent tracks, and over 300,000 
carloads of freight pass through this point annually. 

JVoodside-M'^injield Cut-Off. 

The completion of this important improvement has been promised 
before the end of 1915. The elimination of ten grade crossings and the 
straightening of the main line, doing away with a double curve, will ef- 
fect a considerable saving In time for all trains to and from the Penn- 
sylvania Station. The joint rapid transit transfer station of the Corona 
extension will be on the straightened line. The improvement also includes 
a massive six-track steel bridge over 200 feet in length across Queens 
Boulevard, to cost $500,000. 

Stewart Railroad. 

The reconstruction of the "Stewart Railroad" is being urged. This 
short branch between Flushing and Floral Park would open for home de- 
velopment several thousands of acres of the finest land in Queens Borough 
which is at present without transit facilities. 

Market. 

Complete plans have been prepared by the Long Island Railroad for 
the establishment of a public market on the west side of Dutch Kills 
Creek, between Borden Avenue and Hunters Point Avenue. These plans 
include, in addition to a general market, a fish market, meat and vege- 
table warehouses, fruit warehouses, etc., where supplies can be received 
by train and by boat from all parts of the country and be available for 
immediate distribution to any part of New York City. 

An estimate of the complete cost of this public market is $3,500,000. 
The Long Island Railroad owns the land, comprising over four blocks, 
and is willing to co-operate in a plan for financing the erection of these 
market buildings. 

r^ . . r, . Freight. 

tr eight Kates. 

All the trunk line railroads, in connection with the Long Island Rail- 
road, apply New York class rates from and to Philadelphia, Easton and 
points west thereof, and points west of Albany, for Flushing, Jamaica, 
Brooklyn, Long Island City and intermediate points. 

This is known as the Metropolitan Freight Rate, so that a manu- 
facturer located in Queens has exactly the same rate for shipping his 
goods as if located in the Borough of Manhattan. 

For other points in the Borough of Queens the rates are the follow- 
ing arbitaries above New York rates: 

12 3 4 5 6 Classes. 



5c. 4c. 3c. 2c. 2c. 2c. Rate in cents per 100 lbs. 



Freight Traffic. 



Year 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 



No. Tons 
Carried 
2,491,744 
2,745,622 
2,990,851 
3,300,611 
3,072,521 
3,595,657 
3,814,209 
3,996,717 
4,268,313 
4,147,072 
4,480,231 



Increase 
Decrease ( — ) 

387,146 

253,878 

245,229 

309,760 
—228,090 

523,136 

218,552 

182,508 

271,596 
—121,241 

333,159 



Re-venue 
$2,050,456 
2,322,334 
2,538,080 
2,705,079 
2,540,033 
2,972,370 
3,100,064 
3,258,482 
3,435,643 
3,327,768 
3,624,196 



Miles of 
Track Operated 
391.76 
391.76 
391.84 
391.75 
391.89 
390.56 
398.88 
398.84 
398.84 
398.84 
398.84 




58 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Passenger Traffic. 

Lying within a radius of 15 to 20 miles from the business section 
of Manhattan and Brooklyn is the great suburban zone of the Borough 
of Queens. This is one of the most wonderful residential sections in 
the world. The following table will give the reader an adequate idea of 
the immense growth in travel in the past ten years to and from Brooklyn 
and New York to Long Island: 





No. of 


Increase 


No. of 


Year 


Passengers Carried 


Decrease ( — ) 


Commutei 


1905 


18,199,162 


—616,815 


76,444 


1906 


21,626,390 


3,427,228 


88,794 


1907 


23,950,574 


2,324,157 


106,208 


1908 


23,242,838 


—707,709 


108,429 


1909 


27,466,761 


4,223,923 


125,873 


1910 


30,978,615 


3,511,854 


142,427 


1911 


33,867,228 


2,888,613 


162,318 


1912 


37,319,812 


3,452,584 


182,025 


1913 


40,606,183 


3,286,317 


203,886 


1914 


42,127,526 


1,521,343 


216,728 



The following table gives the number of passengers entering and 
leaving the three principal terminals for the past five years: 



Year 


L. I. City 


Brooklyn 


Penna. Sta. 


Local 


Total 


1910 


6,332,878 


13,455,991 


1,422,909 


9,766,837 


30,978,615 


1911 


3,308,938 


14,094,003 


6,224,429 


10,239,853 


33,867,228 


1912 


3,071,004 


15,772,402 


7,732,184 


10,744,222 


37,319,812 


1913 


2,318,568 


17,501,524 


9,629,021 


11,157,070 


40,606,183 


1914 


1,471,541 


18,064,729 


11,031,845 


11,559,411 


42,127,526 



Grade Crossings: In addition to the elimination of grade crossings 
as a result of the Woodside-WInfield cut-off improvement, important 
work is being done in the elimination of grade crossings at Fresh Pond 
Road and Metropolitan Avenue, at Bushwick Junction. The railroad also 
expects to begin work during the Summer of 1915 on the elimination of 
grade crossings through Richmond Hill on the Montauk Division. 



^> 




. 




' - - ■ ^ ' '^'"'' ' ' '"""'T^'''^ 






^^^v 


^&*^^'' ^^-^^ 






^^ 


^^h 



Jamaica Terminal, Showing Station Platforms. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



59 




Flatbush Avenue Station, Brooklyn, Long Island Railroad. 



Stations — Borough of Queens. 
The following tables give the names of every station on the Long 
Island Railroad in the Borough of Queens, and also the distance of same 
and time of travel from either Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan or 
Flatbush Avenue Station in Brooklyn: 

ATLANTIC AVENUE DIVISION TO BROOKLYN. 

Distance Time 

Local Express 

Union Course 6.3 14 

Woodhaven 6.7 16 

Woodhaven Junction 7.2 18 13 

Clarenceville 7.8 20 

Morris Park 8.2 22 16 

Dunton 8.7 24 

Jamaica 9.2 27 18 

Jamaica (Union Hall St.) 9.9 30 21 

Hillside 10.6 33 

Hollis 11.5 36 

Bellaire 12.8 39 

Queens 13.2 41 

MAIN LINE TO PENN. STATION, NEW YORK. 

Distance Time 

Local Express 

Woodside 5.0 . . 8 

Winfield 6.0 11 11 

Grand Street 6.4 13 

Forest Hills 8.8 15 13 

Kew Gardens 9.8 17 15 

Jamaica 11.3 20 18 

Jamaica (Union Hall St) 11.9 25 23 

Hillside 12.7 30 25 

Hollis 13.6 32 28 

Queens 15.3 35 31 



60 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



MONTAUK DIVISION TO LONG ISLAND CITY. 

Distance 



Bushwick Junction 

Glendale 

Richmond Hill . . 
Jamaica 



3.9 
5.1 
7.6 
9.4 



Time 



ocal 


Express 


11 


9 


16 




20 


18 


22 


20 



NORTH SHORE DIVISION TO PENN. STATION, NEW YORK. 



Elmhurst 

Corona 

Flushing (Bridge St.) 

College Point 

Malba 

Whitestone 

W^hitestone Landing (Beechhurst) 

Flushing (Main St.) 

Murray Hill 

Broadway 

Auburndale 

Bayside 

Douglaston 

Little Neck 



Distance 

6.8 

7.7 

9.8 
11.2 
12.2 
12.9 
13.7 

9.7 
10.6 
11.1 
11.9 
12.9 
14.2 
14.8 



Time 


Local 


Express 


13 




16 


13 


20 




23 




25 




27 




29 




22 


15 


25 


18 


28 


21 


30 


24 


33 


21 


36 


21 


38 


26 



FAR ROCKAWAY AND ROCKAWAY BEACH DIVISIONS. 



Distance 
Ne^v York 



Brooklyn Manor 10.1 

Woodhaven Junction 10.5 

Ozone Park 10.8 

Aqueduct 12.1 

Ramblersville 12.9 

Goose Creek 14.6 

The Raunt 15.5 

Broad Channel 16.3 

Hammel 17.6 

Holland 17.9 

Steeplechase 18.2 

Seaside 18.4 

Rockaway Park 19.2 

*Arverne 18.4 

*Edgemere 19.9 

*Far Rockawav 20.9 



Time 



ooklyn 


New York 


Brooklyn 




Local 


Exp. 


Local 


Exp. 




16 


15 






7.2 


18 


17 


17 


14 


7.5 


23 


20 


18 


15 


8.8 


30 




19 




9.6 


32 




20 




11.2 


36 




26 




12.2 


38 




28 




13.0 


40 


31 


30 


28 


14.2 


42 


33 


33 


30 


14.6 


44 


36 


35 


32 


15.0 


47 


39 


38 


34 


15.1 


47 


39 


38 


34 


15.9 


50 


42 


41 


37 


15.0 




27 




26 


16.5 




31 




30 


17.5 




34 




33 



Via Jamaica Bay Route. 



MONTAUK DIVISION. 



Distance 

Neiv York Brooklyn 

Cedar Manor 12.8 10.7 

Locust Avenue 13.6 11.5 

Higbie Avenue 14.6 12.5 

Laurelton 15.1 13.0 

Valley Stream 18.0 15.9 

St. Albans 14.1 12.0 

Springfield 15.3 13.2 



Time 



Neiv Yo 


rk 


Local 


Exp. 


30 


24 


32 


26 


34 


28 


35 


29 


32 


31 


31 


26 


36 


31 



Brooklyn 


ocal 


Exp. 


32 


27 


34 


29 


36 


31 


38 


29 


39 


34 


28 




31 





Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



61 



Pennsylvania Station 




NY description of the Borough of Queens would be incom- 
plete without mentioning the magnificent Pennsylvania 
Station at Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street, Manhattan. 
This station, which was opened for the operation of 
trains of the Long Island Railroad on September 12th, 
1910, is situated in the heart of the shopping and theatri- 
cal district of New York and is one of the main gateways to the Borough 
of Queens. The north side of the station, along 33rd Street, is assigned 
to the trains of the Long Island Railroad, and passengers can go from 
this station, in modern, electric, steel coaches, to the furthermost point in 
Queens Borough in half an hour. The number of passengers arriv- 
ing and leaving this station on the trains of the Long Island Railroad 
for the year 1914 was 11,031,845. The increase in traffic to and from 
the station was over 100 per cent in the past four years, necessitating sev- 
eral enlargements to the facilities for handling the Long Island Railroad 
passengers. The trains are run under Manhattan and through tunnels 
under the East River, coming tO' the surface in the Sunnyside Yards in 
Long Island City, and making the first stop at Woodside, five miles dis- 
tant from Pennsylvania Station, in nine minutes. 




Bird's-Eye View of Pennsylvania Station. 




62 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

New York Connecting Railroad 

UCH progress has been made in the construction of the 
New York Connecting Railroad and the massive bridge 
across Hell Gate, which will unite Queens Borough, and 
all Long Island, with the mainland, and establish an 
uninterrupted railroad traffic for both freight and pas- 
sengers, that it is confidently expected that operation of 
trains will start by the end of 1916. This big undertaking, which will cost 
approximately $30,000,000, will do away with the necessity of lightering 
freight cars across the East River to the Pennsylvania Railroad and New 
York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad terminals, and will result in a 
great saving of time in the transportation of commodities of every kind. 

The New York Connecting Railroad is backed by both the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, 
and will connect with the former at Woodside (Queens) and the latter 
at Port Morris (Bronx), uniting these two big trunk lines and giving a 
direct all-rail route between Long Island and the New England States and 
the West. 

The bridge across Hell Gate, which will be the largest of its kind 
In the world, is estimated to cost $18,00D,000. With viaducts, it will be 
over three miles long. The main span across the East River at Hell Gate 
connects Astoria and Ward's Island. Ward's Island, in turn, is connected 
with Randall's Island, which is connected with the Bronx. The massive 
granite towers, rising to a height of 240 feet, have been completed, and 
the erection of the big steel arches, 3,000 feet in length, which will sup- 
port the deck, has been started. These will rise to a height of 300 feet 
above the water. The deck will be 150 feet above the river. All of the 
mammoth concrete piers, ranging in height from 50 to 150 feet, have been 
completed and tracks laid over same. In the near future long trains of 
freight cars will be threading their way along this aerial highway, bring- 
ing to Queens coal, iron, steel, cotton and food products, lumber, cement, 
brick, etc., and taking back to all parts of the United States the finished 
products of Queens Borough's thousands of manufacturing establishments. 
The road is not only to be used for freight service, but two of the 
four tracks will be used for passenger traffic, and it is expected that at 
the start over 40 passenger trains will pass each way per day over this 
railroad. Passengers en route from New England for Washington or 
Chicago will be able to go through to their destinations without changing 
of cars. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



63 



The structure, after leaving the bridge across the East River, grad- 
ually descends in Queens to the level of the surface at Woodside, where 
one branch extends to the Sunnyside Yards and is there carried into the 
tunnels under the East 
River to the Pennsylvania 
Station. Another branch 
extends through the New- 
town section, where the 
route is gradually depressed 
and partly tunnel construc- 
tion until the Lutheran 
Cemetery is reached, where 
it will enter a tunnel more 
than a half-mile in length 
and carried over the tracks 
of the Long Island Rail- 
road to the Evergreen sec- 
tion, where again it will 
pass through tunnels under 
East New York and connect 
through Brooklyn with the 
Bay Ridge terminal. 




64 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Clubs 

The latest addition to the clubs of the Borough is the West Side 
Tennis Club at Forest Hills, the largest organization of its kind in the 
United States, having about 600 members, a quarter of whom are women. 
The grounds, which comprise of 10 acres adjacent to the property of the 
Sage Foundation Homes Co., have been laid out into 60 courts. The 
club formerly had its quarters far uptown in Manhattan near Van Cort- 
landt Park. An attractive club house has been built. 

Among the golf and country clubs are the Oakland Golf Club at 
Bayside, which has one of the finest 18-hole links in the United States, 
situated on beautiful, high, rolling country; the attractive 9-hole course 
at Flushing; the Malba Field Club at Whitestone, and the 18-hole public 
links at Forest Park. 




llTH Hole, Public Golf Links, Forest Park. 

Among the yacht clubs throughout the Borough are the Jamaica 
Bay, Belle Harbor and Jefferson Yacht Clubs on Jamaica Bay; the College 
Point, Whitestone and Beechhurst Yacht Clubs on the East River where 
it broadens into Long Island Sound, and the Bayside Yacht Club on Little 
Neck Bay. 

In many communities throughout the Borough there are local clubs 
which add to the social activities of their respective sections. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



65 



Waterfront Development 




HE chief asset of New York City is its wonderful harbor 
and the rivers which flow into it. The commercial su- 
premacy of the city is dependent upon this harbor, for 
without its hundreds of miles of magnificent water- 
frontage New York City would not be the largest city 
on the American continent, nor transact 45 per cent of 
the total foreign commerce of the United States, and handle 90 per cent 
of the trans-Atlantic passenger traffic. 

The adoption of the Dual Subway System solved for many years to 
come the rapid transit problem of New York, and now one of the most 
important problems before the city is the preparation of a comprehensive 
plan for the development of its entire waterfront. The Federal, state 
and city officials are co-operating in the preparation of plans for this 
development. 

Three vast waterway improvements — the Panama Canal, the New 
York State Barge Canal, and the Intra-Coastal Waterway — will bring 
more commerce from the sea and from the interior to the port of New 
York. The Intra-Coastal Waterway will give a continuous land-locked 
waterway from Boston through a canal into Long Island Sound to New 
York, and from New York, in turn, through canals, rivers, bays and sounds, 
down the entire Atlantic coast, around Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, 




Waterfront of New York City, Showing Particularly the Jamaica Bay Improvement and 
Proposed Canal Connecting With Flushing Bay. 
5 



66 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

to the mouth of the Rio Grande. It will cost a total of more than $100,- 
000,000 and will stimulate the coastal commerce to New York. 

The present facilities for handling this great commerce are limited. 
The 200 miles of waterfront of Queens Borough, however, offers a solu- 
tion for the future development of the port of New York. The many 
miles of valuable waterfrontage in Queens still remaining undeveloped 
along Newtown Creek, East River, Flushing Bay, Flushing Creek, and 
Jamaica Bay have every advantage for immediate development. 

The Borough of Queens has 196.8 miles of natural waterfront; 37.6 
miles of improvements, or developed waterfront, as measured around piers 
and along the heads of slips; or a total of 217.1 miles of waterfront meas- 
ured around the natural shore line and piers. This represents 34 per 
cent of the natural waterfront, 14.3 per cent of the developed frontage, 
and 29.2 per cent of the entire waterfrontage as measured around piers 
and shore line of the entire City of New York. 

Developed Water. 

Developed Water Frontage Total Length 

Length of (Measured around piers (Measured around piers 

Borough Shore Line and heads of slips) and shore line) 

Queens 196.8 miles 37.06 miles 217.1 miles 

Brooklyn 201.5 miles 96.70 miles 256.6 miles 

Bronx 79.8 miles 18.84 miles 88.3 miles 

Richmond 57.1 miles 31.00 miles 81.3 miles 

Manhattan 43.2 miles 75.70 miles 95.1 miles 

Total 578.4 miles 259.3 miles 738.4 miles 

Newtown Creek. 

Newtown Creek, which has been called the "busiest waterway of its 
size in the world," is the dividing line between the Boroughs of Queens 
and Brooklyn for a distance of four miles, and empties into the East River 
opposite 34th Street, Manhattan. The importance of this stream is strik- 
ingly shown by comparing its activities with those of the Mississippi River. 
The Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Paul is approximately 
1,000 miles in length, and flows through the heart of a great industrial 
country. According to the latest figures, 5,500,000 tons of freight are 
carried annually on the upper and lower reaches of the Mississippi River. 
In 1911, 5,435,016 tons of freight were handled on Newtown Creek. 
The value of the tonnage on the Mississippi for the same period was ap- 
proximately $82,500,000, while in 1912 the value of the tonnage on New- 
town Creek was $225,416,023, an amount which was greater in value than 
the combined value of the exports from Boston, Philadelphia and San 
Francisco. 

The chief commodities handled on this surprising waterway are cop- 
per ore and Its products, petroleum, lumber, coal, chemicals, and building 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 67 

materials. In 1912, 400,000 tons of copper ore and copper manufactures 
were transported on this waterway — a tonnage valued at $182,620,000, 
which was an amount greater than the total value of all the manufactured 
products of either Kansas City, Minneapohs or San Francisco. 

The Federal Government is now completing dredging operations 
which will provide for a channel 125 feet wide and 18 feet deep, at mean 
low water, from the East River to the head of navigation in the creek. 
Appropriations for this work were secured through the efforts of the 

Chamber. t^ tz r- 

Dutch Kills Creek. 

During 1914 bulkhead lines were established by the United States 
Government for Dutch Kills Creek, a tributary of Newtown Creek, thus 
putting this stream under the jurisdiction of the War Department, and 
appropriations for dredging same to a greater depth can be made by the 
U. S. Government. The bulkhead lines as approved on October 29, 1914, 
give a width varying from 200 feet at Its junction with Newtown Creek to 
150 feet at the head of the stream, and include a large basin In the Deg- 
non Terminal where car floats can be docked. The Long Island Railroad 
proposes to establish at this point a large public market, estimated to cost 
$3,500,000. Here also is located the great industrial development known 
as the "Degnon Terminal," upon which many big manufacturing plants 
have been established in the past few years. 

Tonnage and Value. 





(From Official 


Reports of U. S. Government 


Engineers.) 






Neivtoivn 


Creek 


Flushing Bay 


and Creek 


Year 


Tonnage 




Value 


Tonnage 


Value 


1897 


3,228,544 




$51,446,931 


163,395 


$1,449,438 


1902 


3,000,000 
2,675,025 






186,000 


1,613,100 


1903 




90,535,640 


110,100 


960,750 


1904 


3,771,726 




108,313,377 


142,996 


2,599,488 


1905 


3,428,404 




130,812,974 


142,274 


2,656,650 


1906 


2,803,380 




214,714,751 


273,312 


3,937,444 


1907 • 


3,108,374 




175,229,346 


232,911 


2,537,825 


1908 


4,181,528 




229,994,000 


126,458 


1,774,900 


1909 


5,113,628 




253,003,661 


277,300 


879,700 


1910 


3,861,852 




139,378,623 


563,029 


1,256,880 


1911 


5,435,016 




191,747,615 


394,328 


3,251,548 


1912 


4,921,843 




225,416,023 


942,614 


989,745 


1913 


5,141,516 




226,962,025 


917,561 


969,011 



Some further idea of the immense amount of commerce that Is car- 
ried annually on the waterways of Queens Borough can be obtained from 
the following table, compiled by the Department of Bridges, showing the 
number of openings, and the number of vessels passing through the various 
bridges connecting different parts of the Borough, such as the Vernon 
Avenue Bridge across Newtown Creek, through which 100,270 boats 
(or an average of 275 boats dally) passed in 1913, and the Flushing 
Bridge, through which 4,560 boats passed. 



68 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Number Number Boats Passbiff 

of of Time Open Underneath 

Bridge JVaterivay Boats Open'uujs Mrs. Min. Bridge 

Vernon Avenue Newtown Creek 51,367 17,907 1,407 39 48,903 

Greenpoint Avenue.. " " 49,914 20,628 1,275 21 

Meeker Avenue " " 30,766 15,004 1,014 24 

Grand Street " " 5,212 3,419 338 33 

Borden Avenue Dutch Kills Creek 2,693 1,708 151 45 8 

Flushing Bridge Flushing Creek 4,560 1,723 174 23 

Strong's Causeway... " " 21 7 2 00 .... 

Little Neck Alley Creek 74 78 18 04 

East River. 
Elaborate plans have been prepared by the United States Govern- 
ment enghieers for the improvement of the East River from the Battery 
to Long Island Sound. The plans include the dredging of a 30-foot chan- 
nel as far north as the Queensboro Bridge and removal of existing shoals 
and reefs, a 30-foot channel on the west side of Blackwell's Island, and 
a 20-foot channel on the east side of Blackwell's Island, adjacent to the 
Long Island City shore, the deepening and widening of Hell Gate and the 
removal of dangerous shoals. The completion of this project would de- 
velop a more symmetrical harbor for New York and relieve the present 
congestion of water traffic in the North River. The improvement is an 
important part of the Intra-Coastal Waterway System. An original ap- 
propriation of $500,000 was included in the 1915 Rivers and Harbors 
Bill for beginning this project; the cost of the entire project will be 
approximately $14,000,000. 




Vernon Avenue Bridge Over Newtown Creek. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 69 

The plans also include a deepening of the channel known as "Bronx 
Kills," which will give a direct route from the Harlem River into Flush- 
ing Bay. At present it is necessary for boats coming from the Harlem 
River to take a circuitous route around both Randall's Island and Ward's 
Island and through Hell Gate to reach Flushing Bay. This is of special 
importance for the commercial development of Flushing Bay and the es- 
tablishment of Barge Canal Terminal upon same. 

Marginal Freight Railroad. — The location of two Barge Canal Ter- 
minals on the East River in Long Island City and Astoria has given con- 
siderable impetus to the project of a proposed marginal freight railroad 
along the East River as a further development of the waterfront of this 
section. The construction of such a freight railroad, with its float bridges, 
classification yards, etc., similar to that proposed for the waterfront in 
South Brooklyn, would give direct rail connections to the shippers of this 
section with every railroad system entering the port of New York. 

Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek. 

Great strides have been made in the past two years in the develop- 
ment of Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek as commercial waterways. 
These important waterways hold a strategical commercial position, located, 
as they are, directly opposite the Harlem Ship Canal and at a point where 
the East River broadens into Long Island Sound. Flushing Bay is about 
14 miles from the Battery, and is about one mile wide and three miles 
long. Flushing Creek is a tidal stream tributary to Flushing Bay and 
extending 2>.S miles inland. The first project adopted by the United States 
Government for the improvement of Flushing Bay was on March 3, 1879, 
and provided for making and maintaining a channel 6 feet deep at low 
water, at an estimated cost of $173,500. 

Bulkhead lines have been established for Flushing Bay, and on 
March 6, 1911, the United States Government adopted bulkhead lines 
for Flushing Creek from its mouth to about three miles inland. The 
lines as adopted are about 250 feet apart from the mouth of the creek to 
Strong's Causeway, and practically conform to the existing lines of the 
creek; south of this point the lines are 200 feet apart, and extend in a 
straight line to the head of tide water, or what is known as the "Head of 
the Vleigh." The present natural course of this stream, however, winds 
back and forth across the bulkhead lines as established. It was felt that 
the future needs of this stream required a greater width than 250 feet, 
and the Chamber therefore advocated a width of 300 feet in a straight 
line from the mouth of the creek to the head of the proposed improvement. 
Several hearings and conferences were held on this matter, but due to the 
existing docks and improvements on the east side of the creek, and the 



70 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

unwillingness of the property owners on the west side to cede the neces- 
sary land for the widening, the plan was abandoned and the bulkhead 
lines as established approved. 

Steps were then taken to secure appropriations from the United 
States Government for dredging an improved channel, and through the 
combined efforts of the Chamber, former Congressman John J. Kindred 
and United States Senator James A. O'Gorman, an appropriation of 
$255,700 was included in the Rivers and Harbors Bill of 1913. This 
was the first appropriation made since the original project was adopted 
for a 6-foot channel in 1879. Plans were prepared by the Government 
engineers for the deepening of the channel and a contract was awarded in 
March, 1914, to the Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Co. for dredging a channel 
200 feet in width and 10 feet deep in Flushing Bay from the East River 
near College Point to Flushing Creek as far as the Jackson Avenue bridge, 
which gives 17 feet of water at high tide. This work has been completed, 
enabling boats of larger draft to navigate on these waterways. 

In order to dredge a deeper channel in Flushing Creek beyond the 
Jackson Avenue bridge, where the work of the contract above mentioned 
terminated, it was necessary for the City of New York to acquire title to 
the land between the established bulkhead lines. A bill was passed in 
March, 1913, by the New York State legislature, "granting to the City 
of New York such right, title and interest as the State of New York may 
have in and to land under water in Flushing Creek * * * ^rnd Flush- 
ing Bay." This legislation enables the City of New York to exchange 
title with property owners of land to compensate them for any necessary 
land taken to dredge between the established bulkhead lines. A petition 
was then prepared by the Chamber of Commerce similar to that for a 
street opening proceeding and signatures of abutting property owners 
obtained for the acquisition of title to land between the bulkhead lines. 
This petition was approved by the Local Board of Newtown and Jamaica 
in January, 1914, and is now before the Board of Estimate for its ap- 
proval and the appointment of condemnation commissioners. When title 
has been vested in the city to all land between the bulkhead lines, further 
appropriations will be requested from the United States Government for the 
dredging of a deeper channel to the head of the stream about three miles 
inland. 

Industrial and Commercial Developments. — One of the important 
undertakings that has rapidly progressed in this section is the work of the 
Flushing Bay Improvement Co., which for the past four years has been, 
filling in some 400 acres of the low-lying salt meadows on the west side 
of the creek to 12 feet above mean high water. This stupendous task, 
which called for a fill of 8,000,000 cubic yards, is being carried forward 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 71 

at the rate of several thousand cubic yards per day with ashes and ex- 
cavated material from Brooklyn, brought by means of scows and by the 
Long Island Railroad. It is understood to be the intention of the owners 
of this large tract of land to develop same for cheap factory sites. The 
section has the advantage of both waterfront and railroad shipping facil- 
ities. A street system has been laid out by the Topographical Depart- 
ment which includes an 80-foot marginal street 150 feet back from the 
river front, running parallel north and south with the river, which will 
afford an opportunity to load direct from a ship or barge into the ware- 
house or factory. 

The Long Island Railroad owns a tract of land adjacent to that of 
the Flushing Bay Improvement Co. and has plans for an important rail- 
road terminal and yard at this point. The Degnon Realty & Terminal 
Co. also owns a large tract of land which they intend to improve for the 
location of large manufacturing enterprises. 

This section is within 16 minutes running time on the Long Island 
Railroad from the Pennsylvania Station, and 22 minutes running time to 
Grand Central Station via the new rapid transit elevated extensions. It 
is one of the few remaining places in New York City for mammoth and 
unobstructed factory and warehouse development and will undoubtedly 
become in the next 10 years a very important port of entry. 

The State of New York acquired in 1914 over 400 feet frontage on 
Flushing Bay for the establishment of a Barge Canal Terminal. 

A tentative plan was prepared by the Dock Department of New York 
City for the development of the whole westerly shore of Flushing Bay, 
from Sanford's Point to Jackson Avenue, for a freight terminal. This 
plan provided for an extension of the shore line and the construction of a 
marginal street, along the outer edge of which would be built a set of 
railroad tracks with spurs leading out to the end of a series of 1,000-foot 
piers! The plan as prepared shows 16 of these piers, half of which are 
200 feet in width and the others 190 feet wide. Between each pier there 
would be docking basins 300 feet wide. That this whole industrial scheme 
has possibilities of realization in the near future is the opinion of many 
men who are keeping an eye on the industrial trend of Queens Borough. 

Flushing Bay-Jamaica Bay Canal. 
For many years there has been an effort made to have the State of 
New York construct a canal connecting Flushing Bay and Jamaica Bay in 
order to provide a short-cut from the Hudson River through the Harlem 
River, Flushing Bay and the said canal for canal boats bound for Jamaica 
Bay. No appropriation has been made, however, by the State of New 
York for its construction. 



72 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

Surveys of this proposed canal were made by the state engineers in 
1913, and a report made to the legislature on March 11, 1914. The es- 
timate of the cost was $20,338,000, which was based upon the assumption 
that New York City would construct the channel in Jamaica Bay, together 
'with the basins extending inland from that channel; also, that the Fed- 
eral Government would construct the channel from the mouth of Flush- 
ing Creek to the head of the proposed improvement at Livingston Street. 

The route selected for the estimate begins at Cornell Basin of the 
Jamaica Bay channel, bending westerly across the ridge between the creek 
and the next valley to the west, crosses the Ridgewood aqueduct west of 
Three-mile Millroad, and Rockaway Boulevard about a quarter of a mile 
west of the junction with Rockaway Road, then follows the natural valley 
through the present farms, crossing Hawtree Creek road near its junction 
with Lincoln Avenue, and Liberty Avenue just east of Van Wyck Avenue. 
From Liberty Avenue the line runs just east of Van Wyck Avenue and 
nearly parallel to it, following the natural depression to the railroad. It 
crosses the railroad just east of Dunton Station, thence northerly to the 
Maple Grove Cemetery property, crosses the summit of the main ridge 
in the cemetery, crosses Queens Boulevard, and thence down the ravine 
across the Union Turnpike to the meadows at the head of Flushing Creek 
to the 200-foot channel planned by the United States Government, and 
follows this channel to Flushing Bay. 

For a distance of about two miles through the upland in the center 
of the Borough, which is approximately 125 feet above the sea level, it 
is proposed to construct a double, reinforced concrete tunnel having chan- 
nels of 50 feet each with columns between the channels. The height to the 
top of the tunnel from the water level will be over 30 feet. The tunnel 
will extend a distance of approximately 10,800 feet, or from Union Turn- 
pike to a point 800 feet south of Liberty Avenue. Such a tunnel would 
obviate the necessity of spanning highways with expensive bridges. The 
balance of the canal, however, will be an open cut 200 feet in width. The 
minimum depth throughout the canal at low water would be 12 feet, and 
tidal locks or gates would have to be provided. 

Such a canal would give a land-locked waterway the entire distance 
from Buffalo to Jamaica Bay, and would enable barge canal boats to bring 
their cargoes to the port now being developed at Jamaica Bay, where these 
cargoes could be transferred to ocean-going vessels. An added advan- 
tage of this waterway would be to provide for the transportation of lum- 
ber, cement, coal and general merchandise into the heart of Queens 
Borough, at a cost far below the present rates for transportation. The 
canal would also overcome the objection that has been raised by those 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 7?y 

who fear that barges could not, in heavy weather, safely make the pas- 
sage from the lower bay In New York into the ocean entrance to Jamaica 
Bay by the way of Rockaway inlet. 

Jamaica Bay. 

Jamaica Bay, in the southern portion of the Borough, is approxi- 
mately eight miles long and four miles wide, and covers an area of about 
32 square miles. It is bounded on the south by the Rockaway peninsula, 
and is connected with the Atlantic Ocean by the Rockaway inlet. A com- 
prehensive plan adopted for the development of this waterfront includes a 
wide channel skirting the entire bay, with several basins extending into the 
Queens shore. The completion of this improvement would open for com- 
mercial and industrial development a large territory of Queens Borough 
adjacent to the bay. 

The commerce during 1912 amounted to 425,551 tons, valued at 
$5,150,000, and consisting chiefly of fuel, building and road materials^ 
fish and shellfish, oil, general merchandise, ashes and refuse. 

The following is the history of this improvement: 

1907- The engineers of the United States Army presented favorable reports 

1909. for the improvement of Jamaica Bay by the construction of a preliminary 
channel 18 feet in depth and 500 feet in width along the westerly and 
northerly shores, which channel should ultimately be increased to 30 feet in 
depth and 1,000 feet in width, it being recommended that appropriations 
be made for this purpose provided the Secretary of War should be satisfied 
that the City of New York was committed to the general improvement of 
Jamaica Bay, and upon the further proviso that the actual work of dredging 
be performed and the money expended by the city, reimbursement being made 
to it by the United States Government for dredging at a rate not exceeding 
eight cents per cubic yard. The entrance channel was to be opened and 
maintained by the United States Government without assistance from the city. 

1910. On June 25, 1910, Congress appropriated $250,500.00 

as recommended by the Army engineers, to become available upon the cer- 
tificate of the Secretary of War. 

1911. On January 11, 1911, the City of New York appropriated the sum of 
$1,000,000 for the improvement of Jamaica Bay, and as a result the Secretary 
of War declared himself satisfied as to the intention of the city and the 
appropriation became available. 

1912. The River and Harbor Act of this year appropriated the sum of.... 300,000.00 
for reimbursement of the City of New York for dredging of interior channels. 

1913. The River and Harbor Act this year appropriated 300,000.00 

for the same purpose. 

Total appropriations by Congress $850,500.00 

The following appropriations and expenditures have been made by 
the City of New York for the Jamaica Bay improvement: 

Appropriations. 

July 1, 1910, for preliminary surveys $ 50,000.00 

February 9, 1911, for construction of bulkhead 50,000.00 

February 9, 1911, for dredging in main channel 150,000.00 

February 9, 1911, for acquiring lands, the precise location to be determined by 

joint action by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund 750,000.00 

Total appropriations $1,000,000.00 



74 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

Expenditures. 

On October 7, 1911, $76,000 was transferred from the land account to the dredg- 
ing account. 
There has been expended by the City of New York: 

For preliminary surveys $ 50,000.00 

For construction of bulkheads and retaining walls 1,115.71 

For dredging 154,884.00 

of which $129,860.50 has been refunded by the United States Government 
under its agreement. 
No land has been purchased. 
There has, therefore, been a total net expenditure by the City of New York to 

date of 76,139.21 

Net expenditure of the United States Government: 

On interior channels 129,860.50 

On entrance channels 68,978.15 



Total expenditure U. S. Government and N. Y. City on Jamaica Bay 

to date $ 274.977.86 

The extension of the interior channel has been delayed by a legal 
contest as to the ownership of the land under water, but it is expected 
that an early settlement of this matter will allow the work to be continued. 
Sufficient funds are on hand to advance this project and make it of great 
commercial value to the port of New York. 

Freight Terminals. 

Degnon Terminal. — The Degnon Terminal is a large tract of land 
south of the Sunnyside yards, and located on Dutch Kills Creek, which 
has been laid out for industrial development, having the combined advan- 
tages of facilities for shipping by both water and rail. It has direct con- 
nections with the East River, and by means of a car float at the head of 
Dutch Kills Creek freight may be transported to all of the various rail- 
roads entering Manhattan. A terminal railroad on the property has spurs 
entering each block and connecting with every factory, rendering it pos- 
sible to load cars inside any building. 

Queensboro Term'uial. — This terminal, which was opened on July 
1, 1914, is located on the East River and Vernon Avenue, between 13th 
and 14th Streets, Long Island City. It is a branch of the Brooklyn East- 
ern District Terminal, which has been in operation since 1876, and which 
today handles over 1,500,000 tons of freight a year. Shipments may be 
made through this terminal to every railroad in the United States, Canada 
and Mexico, the Long Island Sound steamboat lines, the Atlantic coast- 
wise boat lines, and the Hudson River boat lines, with the same dispatch 
and freight rates as though delivered to the separate freight stations of 
the railroads and boat lines in Manhattan, thus saving large cartage 
charges. For the first half-year of its operation this terminal handled 
over 12,000 tons of freight. 




Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 75 

Barge Canal Terminals 

S a result of the combined efforts of the Queens Chamber 
of Commerce and Borough President M. E. Connolly, 
the State of New York in December, 1914, acquired 
title to property on the waterfront of the Borough of 
Queens at three different locations for Barge Canal 
Terminals. These locations, which include a total water 

frontage of over a quarter of a mile, and approximately 10 acres of land, 

are as follows : 

1. East River, north of Oiieenshoro Bridge. — A strip 681 feet in 
length on the East River near the foot of Rogers Avenue and extending 
ISO feet inshore from the established bulkhead and pierhead lines, or 
approximately 104,700 square feet. This location for a Barge Canal 
Terminal is well adapted to the present and future industrial and com- 
mercial needs of Long Island City. It has direct and easy access to the 
marginal waterfront street, namely, Vernon Avenue; is only about 2,000 
feet from the entrance of Queensboro Bridge itself, and geographically 
is admirably situated for any development along the waterfront. It is, 
moreover, centrally situated for the vast number of factories now located 
in Long Island City. 

2. Hallefs Cove, Astoria. — The property acquired at this point on 
Hallet's Cove, a small indentation of the East River, extends 400 feet 
northerly from the foot of Broadway to a point between Camelia Street 
and Jamaica Avenue, comprises approximately 160,270 square feet in 
area, and extends from the Boulevard outshore to the bulkhead and pier- 
head line. The bulkhead and pierhead lines are coincident at this place, 
and it is possible for the State to excavate a basin in this large area whereby 
an extensive terminal can be laid out. The location is well adapted geo- 
graphically for a terminal, as it has direct connection with several main 
arteries of travel connecting Long Island City, Astoria and Flushing. 

3. Head of Flushing Bay. — The site selected has an approximate 
frontage of 400 feet on Flushing Bay, just west of the mouth of Flush- 
ing Creek and north of Jackson Avenue, and is about 400 feet in depth. 
It is admirably located and will serve not only the growing communities 
of Flushing, College Point and Corona, but many other inland sections, 
such as Forest Hills, Richmond Hill, Bayside, Whitestone, etc. Not- 
withstanding the fact that navigation in Flushing Creek extends consider- 
ably further inland, the terminal as located will not be subject to the in- 
conveniences of drawbridge navigation. 

Queens Borough will have three terminals, as pointed out above, 



76 Chamber of Commerce of tpie Borough of Queens. 

whereas to date there have been but two terminals established in Brook- 
lyn and only one in the Bronx. 

To gain some idea of the importance and size of this great terminal 
waterway of New York State a comparison with the Panama Canal is- 
necessary: 

New York State 

Barge Canal Panama Canal 

Approximate cost $140,000,000 $375,000,000 

Length 540 miles 50 miles 

Locks 57 6 

Excavations 114,000,000 cu. yards 203,000,000 cu. yards 

Concrete 2,750,000 cu. yards 5,000,000 cu. yards 

Total lift above sea level 525 ft. 85 ft. 

Benefit of Terminals to Commercial and Industrial Growth of 

Queens. 

A Barge Canal Terminal is a freight station on the waterfront, to or 
from which the public can truck freight shipped via canal boats, just the 
same as they do from freight stations on railroads. 

The average cost of carrying a ton of freight by rail from Buffalo 
to New York City is officially stated to be $1.96 a ton, whereas the cost 
of carrying freight by the Barge Canal is officially estimated to be only 
26 cents a ton, or a saving in actual cost of $1.70 per ton. The foregoing 
is the statement of the actual cost and not a comparison of the charges 
made by the railroad and to be made by the canal. 

However, the average charge for carrying a ton of freight from 
Buffalo to New York by rail is $3.11, and the charge by the Barge Canal 
between the same points, figured on a liberal profit, is estimated to be only 
41 cents a ton which would mean an actual saving of $2.70 per ton. When 
it is understood that the barges which will operate over the canal will have 
a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000 tons, in comparison with the present 250-ton 
barges, and will also have a speed two and one-half times as great as that 
of the present boats, the reason for the low cost of carrying freight is 
apparent. 

The manufacturers and merchants of Queens will all benefit by this 
reduction in the cost of transporting commodities of every kind, as there 
is not a section of the Borough which will not be within easy trucking 
distance of at least one of the three terminals which have been definitely 
located for Queens Borough. 

Progress of Canal. 

Such rapid progress has been made in the construction of the canal 

that former State Engineer Bensel took a party through over 200 miles 

of the completed canal during 1914. It is expected that the entire work 

will be completed and the canal ready for operation during 1915, or 1916. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



77 




Population of the Borough of Queens 

HE population of the Borough of Queens on July 1, 1914, 
was 387,444, according to the estimate of the Depart- 
ment of Health of New York City. It is estimated that 
it has reached at least 425,000 by January 1, 1915. 
According to the figures prepared by the Census Bureau 
of the Department of Commerce of the United States, 
showing the population of the United States for July 1, 1914, the Bor- 
ough of Queens not only would rank nineteenth in size among the prin- 
cipal cities in the United States, but exceeded in population the States of 
Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming. The estimated population 
of Queens Borough given by the Census Bureau for July 1, 1914, was, 
however, 339,886, or 48,000 less than the estimate of the Health Depart- 
ment. With the completion and operation of all the rapid transit exten- 
sions now under construction, it is estimated that Queens will have a 
population of 900,000 by the year 1920. 

The following table shows that Queens has increased liG per cent, in 
population in the past four years according to the figures of the Health 
Department. With the exception of the Borough of the Bronx, this 
was a greater per cent, increase than any of the other Boroughs of New 
York City, or the ten largest cities of the United States. When it is con- 
sidered that during these four years the Bronx has had the rapid transit 
facilities of two subway and two elevated lines from Manhattan at a 
5-cent rate of fare, whereas Queens Borough without such facilities has 
grown almost at the same rate, it can be realized what a great increase 
in population will take place in Queens Borough during the next five to 
ten years, with all the different rapid transit lines extending into it 
from Manhattan and Brooklyn. 



POPULATION 



Est. ofDept. of Health 
Borough July 1, 1914 

Queens 387,444 

Bronx 641,980 

Brooklyn 1,916,655 

Richmond 99,186 

Manhattan 2,538,606 



U. S. Census 

April 15, 1910 

284,041 

430,980 

1,634,351 

85,969 

2,331,542 



New York City 5,583,871 



4,766,883 





P 


?r Cent 


Inc. '^ years 




Inc. 


103,403 




36 


211,000 




49 


282,304 




17 


13,217 




15 


207,064 




9 



816,988 



17 



Queens with its immense stretches of undeveloped territory that 
offer unlimited attractions for the home builder, and with a 5-cent fare 
in view for the greater portion of this vast area, will undoubtedly outstrip 
not only all the other Boroughs of New York City, but every city In the 
United States In its growth In the next few years. The following table 



78 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

gives a comparative illustration of the growth of Queens and the first 
eighteen cities in the United States for the past four years: 

POPULATION 

{Est. of U. S. Census Bureau) Per Cent. 

Rank City July 1, 1914 April 15, 1910 Inc.in 4- yrs. Inc. 

1 New York City 5,333,537 4,766,883 556,654 11 

2 Chicago, 111 2,393,325 2,185,283 208,042 9 

3 Philadelphia, Pa 1,657,810 1,549,008 108,802 7 

4 St. Louis, Mo 734,667 687,029 47,638 7 

5 Boston, Mass 733,802 670,585 63,217 9 

6 Cleveland, 639,431 560,663 78,768 14 

7 Baltimore, Md 579,590 558,445 21,105 4 

8 Pittsburgh, Pa 564,878 533,905 30,973 6 

9 Detroit, Mich 537,650 465,766 71,884 15 

10 Bufifalo, N. Y 454,112 423,715 30,397 7 

11 San Francisco, Cal 448,502 416,912 31,590 8 

12 Los Angeles, Cal 438,914 318,198 120,716 38 

13 Milwaukee, Wis 417,054 373,857 43,197 11 

14 Cincinnati, 402,175 363,591 38,584 11 

15 Newark, N. J 389,106 347,469 41,637 12 

16 New Orleans, La 361,221 339,057 22,164 6 

17 Washington, D. C 353,378 331,069 22,309 7 

18 Minneapolis, Minn 343,466 301,408 42,056 14 

19 QUEENS BOROUGH.... 339,886 282,041 57,845 21 

Assessed Valuation and Tax Rate, Borough 

of Queens 

The following tables, showing the increase in taxable values of the 
Borough of Queens, are the best proof of the amazing growth of the 
Borough. An increase in the total assessed valuation from $103,752,600 
in 1899 to $488,686,756 in 1914, or a total increase of $384,934,156 in 
15 years (average per year, $25,662,277), is the result of the hundreds 
of new Industries and thousands of new homes that have been constructed 
in the Borough in that time. 

The assessment on land alone increased from $76,588,315 in 1904 
to $280,678,120 in 1914, or a total increase of $204,089,805 in 10 years, 
and an average increase per year for that time of $20,408,980. 





Total Real 


Year 


Estate Assmt. 


1899 


$103,752,600 


1900 


104,427,772 


1901 


107,179,620 


1902 


108,859,704 


1903 


123,781,723 


1904 


131,379,723 


1905 


140,404,990 


1906 


159,446,205 


1907 


217,668,775 


1908 


296,458,980 


'909 


308,112,605 


1910 


334,563,960 


1911 


446,569,352 


1912 


456,750,539 


1913 


477,792,836 


1914 


488,686,756 


*1915 


519,515,428 


*Tent 


ative. 



Annual 


Per Cent. 


Personal Prop- 


Tax Rate 


Increase 


Increase 


erty Assmt. 


Per $100 






$6,314,032 
5,498,681 


$3.2744 


$ 675,172 


.65 


2.3421 


2,751,848 


2.63 


10,826,810 


2.3570 


1,680,084 


1.56 


9,026,134 


2.3187 


14,922,019 


12.07 


10,176,900 


1.4750 


7,598,000 


6.17 


7,477,425 


1.5722 


9,025,267 


6.86 


9,094,738 


1.5552 


19,041,215 


13.55 


9,694,428 


1.5548 


58,222,570 


36.4 


11,191,262 


1.5339 


78,790,205 


26.5 


9,908,830 


1.6603 


11,653,625 


3.8 


9,673,200 


1.7253 


26,451,355 


7.9 


5,358,480 


1.81079 


112,005,392 


33.4 


5,339,875 


1.73645 


10,181,187 


2.2 


6,396,750 


1.84 


21,042,797 


4.6 


6,740,850 


1.85 


10,893,920 


2.3 


5,915,150 


1.80 
1.95 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Year 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 



Ward 1 
Ward 2 
Ward 3 
Ward 4 
Ward 5 



Ordinary 
Land Value 

No 

Separate 

Land 
Values 

$76,588,315 

79,803,605 

81,270,450 

123,585,700 

182,629,206 

185,899,546 

200,180,317 

276,089,172 

277,644,346 

280,223,990 

280,678,120 

ASSESSED 



Value of 

Improvements 

$96,890,100 

96,087,980 

97,029,826 

99,263,154 

113,731,213 

45,147,250 

50,113,225 

65,144,845 

73,354,150 

88,111,404 

96,557,609 

107,770,243 

131,268,935 

140,794,590 

156,026,337 

166,008,357 



Special 
Franchises 



$4,036,817 

5,768,494 

4,331,650 

5,528,000 

5,496,600 

6,232,600 

8,333,300 

11,698,700 

15,902,070 

14,876,700 

14,917,800 

16,400,400 

15,031,989 

15,428,524 

15,446,039 

VALUATION QUEENS BOROUGH BY WARDS. 
Assessment Assessment 

Roll, 1913 Roll, 1914 

$ 96,436,300 $ 97,392,525 

107,608,680 112,363,410 

69,407,925 70,356,300 

116,379,317 119,212,812 

46,418,105 47,361,430 



Real Estate 

«/ 
Corporations 

$6,861,500 

4,303,075 

4,381,300 

5,264,900 

4,522,510 

4,147,060 

4,255,560 

4,697,610 

8,030,225 

9,816,300 

10,778,750 

11,695,600 

22,810,845 

23,279,614 

26,113,985 

26,554,240 



Real Estate $436,250,327 

Real Estate of Corporations 26,113,985 

15|428i524 



Special Franchises 



$446,686,477 
26,554,240 
15,446,039 



79 

Total Real Es- 
tate and R.E. 
Corpor. and 
Franchises 
$103,752,600 
104,427,872 
107,179,620 
108,859,704 
123,781,723 
131,379,225 
140,404,990 
159,446,205 
217,668,775 
296,458,980 
308,112,605 
334,563,960 
446,569,352 
456,750,539 
477,792,836 
488,686,756 



Increase 
$ 956,225 
4,754,730 

948,375 
2,833,495 

943,325 

$10,436,150 

440,255 

17,515 



'^°tal $477,792,836 $488,686,756 $10 893 920 

ASSESSED VALUATIONS NEW YORK CITY, ALL BOROUGHS. ' ' 



Borough 1899 

Queens $ 103,751,600 

Bronx 123,702,030 

Brooklyn 609,822,267 

Manhattan 2,054,903,875 

Richmond 40,265,464 

New York City 2,932,445,464 



1914 

$ 488,686,756 

658,632,013 

1,671,175,930 

5,149,250,760 

82,114,453 

8,049,859,912 



Increase 

$ 384,935,156 

534,929,983 

1,061,353,663 

3,094,346,885 

41,848,989 

5,117,414,676 



Gain, P. C. 

'ill 
432 
174 
151 
104 
175 



■''"iis^ **!•; 




New Flushing High School, To Be Opened in September, 1915. 



so 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



The Rockaways 

AN OCEAN FRONT OF UNSURPASSED GRANDEUR 
The Rockaway Peninsula at the southern portion of the Borough of 
Queens, extending for a distance of 10 miles between the Atlantic Ocean 
and Jamaica Bay, has one of the finest beaches between Maine and Atlantic 
City. It is not only the great summer resort and playground of New York 
City, but is becoming the all-year-round residential section of thousands 
who work in Brooklyn and Manhattan and commute daily, for all of the 
built-up section is only 30 to 40 minutes from the heart of the business 
district of Manhattan via electric trains of the Long Island Railroad, and 
from 40 to 50 trains are run each way week days, and twice that number 
on Sundays during the summer months. 

In 1785 Tack-a-Pou-Sha, chief of the Rockaway tribe of Indians, 
and his sachems deeded what was known as Rockaway Neck to John Pal- 
mer, a New York merchant. At that time it was a stretch of waste beach 
and sand dunes, but today the sand dunes have been converted into stucco 
and mortar, and a veritable CIty-by-the-Sea has grown up, stretching from 
Belle Harbor on the west to Nassau County on the east. With its board- 
walk on the ocean, its broad macadamed streets, magnificent hotels and 
handsome residences, and public parks, there Is no more attractive section 
In New York City for either summer homes or all-year-round residences. 
Throughout the length and breadth of the country the Rockaways 
are known as one of the few Ideal seaside resorts in America. Here are 
to be found the alluring charm of seashore and country, combined with 
every advantage of a modern city within the corporate limits of New York 




Bathing Scene, Rockaway Coast. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Oueens. 



81 



City itself, and only a half-hour's ride on the comfortable electric trains to 
the business centers. Residents and visitors have both the choice of surf 
bathing in the Atlantic Ocean and still water and aquatic sports on Jamaica 
Bay. 




The Finest Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean Are on the Rockaway Peninsula. 

Seaside, Holland and Hammel are filled with amusement resorts of 
many kinds, and their hotels and bathing pavilions cater to a floating 
population that often reaches 100,000 on a summer day. The hotels, 
with accommodations for more than 2,000, are filled every season. Ar- 
verne, Edgemere and Far Rockaway, 18 to 20 miles distant from Penn- 
sylvania Station, have not only many modern large hotels, but thousands 
of private dwellings, cottages and boarding houses to accommodate the 
vast throng of dwellers. Far Rockaway has a large permanent popula- 
tion and many fine business blocks. Hundreds of fine houses are rented 
here, at prices ranging from $750 to $3,000 per season. 




Edgemere Club Hotel. 



82 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Banks— Borough of Queens 

HE report of the various banking institutions in the Borough 
! for 1914 shows a substantial increase in both resources 
and deposits. Excluding the Title Guarantee & Trust 
Co., the Corn Exchange Bank, and the Broadway Trust 
Co., whose main offices are in Manhattan, the resources 
of the banks of the Borough increased $2,695,000 and 

the deposits $2,823,000 in 1914. This flourishing condition is due to the 

increase in mercantile and industrial interests of Queens during the past 

year, and also to the 

great increase in the 

building development and 

real estate investments. 
The most important 

banking addition during 

the past year was the 

merger of the Commer- 
cial National Bank of 

Long Island City, with 

the Broadway Trust Co., 





Queens County Trust Co., Jamaica. 



Bank of Long Island, Jamaica. 

of New York. This bank will 
now be known as the Long Island 
City Branch of the Broadway 
Trust Co. 

The Bank of Long Island 
added two more branches — Wood- 
haven and Ridgewood — during the 
past two years, making 10 
branches in all throughout the 
Borough, in addition to the main 
office in Jamaica. 

A new building has been 
constructed for the Queens County 
Savings Bank in Flushing, and 



plans have been prepared by the First National Bank of Corona for a 
new $50,000 structure. 



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84 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Bridges 




O greater proof of the rapid development of the Borough 
of Queens and adjacent territory need be given than 
the statement of the amazing rate of increase of daily- 
traffic of persons, vehicles and trolley cars crossing the 
Queensboro Bridge since its opening in 1909. Each 
year the Department of Bridges makes a traffic count for 



a period of 24 hours, and the results are given herewith 



Date Persons 

Nov. 11, 1910 44,329 

Dec. 28, 1911 47,694 

Oct. 24, 1912 59,529 

Oct. 29, 1913 81,760 

Nov. 5, 1914 87,850 



Trolleys 
1,757 
2,284 
2,796 
2,924 
3,091 



Vehicles 
1,810 
2,352 
3,644 
6,691 
7,207 




Photo by Dr. W. T. Kilmer 



Goers-Dagor Lens 



Night View of Queensboro Bridge (Looking Towards Queens). 

Queensboro Bridge — Fixed Statistics. 
(From Report of Department of Bridges, 1905-12.) 
Terminals. — Manhattan, 2nd Avenue and 60th Street; Queens, Cres- 
cent and Jane Streets. 

Type. — Continuous cantilever, without suspended span; steel towers. 
Charcter of Traffic. — Foot, vehicle, and surface, elevated and sub- 
way cars. Capacity designed for 12,600 pounds live load per linear foot. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 85 

Grades on Bridge and Approaches. — Queens approach, 3.4 per cent; 
Manhattan approach, roadway, Z.S per cent; trolleys, 5.8 per cent; main 
bridge spans, 3.4 per cent; the middle, 1,700 feet, is level. 

Width of Waterway. — Pier line to pier line, west channel, 939 feet; 
east channel, 793.2 feet. 

Clear Width of Navigable Openings, square with the channel. — Be- 
tween 24-foot contours, west channel, 860.7 feet; east channel, 216.3 feet. 

Material of Bridge.— Medium steel, except top chord eye-bars and 
pins, which are nickel steel. 

Foundation. — Two anchor piers to rock; 4 main piers to rock. 

Facilities.— One roadway, 53.25 feet wide; 2 sidewalks, 16.33 feet 
wide; surface car tracks, 4; elevated car tracks, subway car tracks, 2. 

Can Pass in Either Direction in One Hour (maximum). — Passengers 
(vehicles), 14,400; passengers (cars), 315,200; foot passengers, 24,500; 
total, 354,100; 172,050 eastbound, 172,050 westbound. 

Original Contract Price.— Land, $4,635,000; approaches, bridge, 
$13,496,500. Final Cost, Including Land, etc. — $18,131,500. 

Bridges Connecting Queens With Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Name w,,. r- ■ Type of Clear Height Greatest Length of Length of Total width 
'''""' Water Crossing g';? "J Above M.H.W. Span Bridge Approaches of Bridge 
Feet Feet Feet Feet Feet 

Queensboro East River Cantilever 135 1182 3724 5 3724 5 89 5 

Vernon Avenue Newtown Creek Bascule 24 172 1698 6 150o' 6o' 

Greenpoint Avenue.. " " Swing 15 206.7 282 75 32 

Meeker Avenue « " Swing 8 200 284 84 31 

Grand Street " " Swing 10 229.6 550 320 36 

Borden Avenue Dutch Kills Creek Retractile 3.5 169 265 90 50 5 

Flushing Flushing Creek Bascule 12 68 351 262 52 

Strong's Causeway... Flushing Creek Swing 2 135 135 2 44 ^^ ? 

Little Neck Alley Creek Swini 2 90 157.2 65 18 




Bridge Over Flushing Creek at Jackson Ave. 



86 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Telephone Growth and Service 

HE New York Telephone Company's system in the Bor- 
ough of Queens has grown in the past decade from 2,836 
telephones, served by eight central offices, to approx- 
imately 26,000 telephones connected with twelve 
exchanges. This is an increase of 852 per cent from 
1905 to 1915. 

At the present time the daily telephone traffic in the Borough totals 
nearly 78,000 calls and during the "busy" hour in the various exchanges 
an aggregate of more than 9,000 messages are handled. 

The Telephone Company now has twelve central offices and four 
commercial offices in Queens. The commercial offices are in Long Island 
City, Jamaica, Flushing and Far Rockaway. The central offices are as 
follows: Astoria, Bayside, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Forest Hills, Ham- 
mels, Hollis, Hunters Point, Jamaica, Newtown, Richmond Hill and 
Springfield. 

The Jamaica, Hammels and Flush- 
ing central offices were opened in 1907 
and the Far Rockaway and Newtown 
offices in 1908. Two years later the 
Telephone Company opened the Rich- 
mond Hill and Springfield central offices 
and in 1911 started the Forest Hills, 
Hunters Point and Astoria exchanges. 
The Hollis and Bayside central offices 
were opened in 1913. Of the 75 tele- 
phone central offices in the Greater City, 
39 are in Manhattan and the Bronx, 
21 in Brooklyn, 12 in Queens and 3 in 
Richmond. 

In the last five years, the Tele- 
phone Company has spent thousands 
of dollars to extend and improve its 
plant in Queens. The work in 1913 

and 1914 was featured by large additions to the outside plant so as to 
provide telephone facilities sufficient to meet the recent remarkable busi- 
ness, manufacturing and residential development and to take care of the 
expected growth in the near future. 




Jamaica 



Exchange and 
Office. 



Commercial 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



87 



Mortgages Recorded in Queens Borough 

July 1st, 1908 July 1st, 1913 

Company to to 

July 1st, 1913 July 1st, 1914 

Title Guarantee & Trust Co $21,742,805 $2,769,050 

Home Title Insurance & Mortgage Co 678,840 582,600 

First Mortgage Guarantee Co 1,639,500 582,500 

U. S. Title Guaranty Co 1,811,250 546,300 

The Thrift 194,250 305,650 

Nassau-Suffolk Bond & Mortgage Co 1,520,975 260,650 

Queens County Mortgage Co_& ) 2.542,300 312,740 

Lawyers iitle insurance & i rust Co. j ' ' 

Realty Construction & Investment Cmpanies 3,437,784 347,996 

Bond, Mortgage & Surety Companies 1,234,657 100,407 

Title Insurance Co. of New York 1,036,850 85,100 

Long Island Bond & Mortgage Co 1,625,600 105,850 

Life Insurance Companies 1,053,050 9,700 

All Banks, Trust Companies & Building Loan I o qas ^7^ ^Q70?1fi 

Associations, (Except Title Companies) ... | ' ' ' ' 

Miscellaneous Companies 1,288,164 443,494 

Trust Mortgages 322,703,342 45,068,457 

All Others 20,557,802 ' 8,447,837 



AREA— CITY OF NEW YORK. 

HE Borough of Queens Is the largest of the five boroughs 
of New York City and comprises 1 17.36 square miles, or 
75,111 acres, and represents 37.4 per cent, of the total 
area of New York City. 

From the following table it is evident that Queens 
is more than five times as large as Manhattan, nearly 
three times as large as the Bronx, and equal to the combined areas of 
Manhattan, the Bronx and Richmond. Considered as a City by itself, 
Queens would rank fifth in area in the United States, being exceeded only 
by Greater New York, New Orleans, Chicago, and Philadelphia. 




-Area 



In Acres 

Queens 75,111 

Brooklyn 49,680 

Richmond 36,600 

Manhattan 14,038 

The Bronx 26,017 

Total 201,446 



hi Square Allies 


Per 


Cent of Total 


117.36 




37.4% 


77.62 




24.7% 


57.19 




18.2% 


21.93 




6.87o 


40.65 




12.9% 



314.75 



100.0% 



Area of Queens Bouough by Wards 



Ward Upland 

First 4.740.6 

Second 13,968.7 

Third 19,355.2 

Fourth 25,189.2 

Fifth 3,920.7 

Totals 67,174.4 



Acres 








Under Water 


Total 


Sq 


uare Miles 




4,740.6 




7.41 


116.0 


14,084.7 




22.01 


149.0 


19,504.2 




30.47 


5,610.8 


30,800.0 




38.12 


2,060.7 


5,981.4 




9.3S 



7,936.5 



75,110.9 



117.36 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Parks 

T is the duty of the City of New York to set aside now suf- 
ficient land in different parts of Queens Borough for parks 
and playgrounds, which will be needed for its great 
future population. Today the parks of Queens comprise 
only 1.4 per cent of its total area, whereas the Bronx 
has 15 per cent of its area In parks, Manhattan 10 per 
cent, and Brooklyn 2.3 per cent. The aim of communities, as well as 
families, should be to produce citizens with sound minds and sound bodies. 
In order to accomplish this there must be a rational combination of both 
recreation and educational facilities. 

A new building has been recently constructed in Forest Park called 
the "Overlook" for the office of the Park Department, and the surround- 
ing grounds developed as an Italian Garden. The following Is a tabula- 
tion of the parks located in Queens and their area on July 1st, 1913: 



Name Area in Acres 

Forest Park 536.00 

Telewana Park 262.58 

Kissena Lake Park 88.12 

Highland Park 59.60 

Astoria Park 56.25 

Rockaway Park 17.87 

King Park 11.50 

Flushing Common 7.61 

Upland Park 5.50 

Rainey Park 5.09 

Linden Park 3.00 

Wayanda Park 2.00 

College Point Park 1.14 

Seven Miscellaneous Parks 1.49 

Total 1,057.75 



Location 
Richmond Hill and Woodhaven 
Rockaway Beach 
Flushing 
Evergreen 
Astoria 

Rockaway Beach 
Jamaica 
Flushing 
Jamaica 
Astoria 
Corona 
Queens 
College Point 



Many improvements have been made to all of these parks In the 
past few years, under the direction of the Park Department of Queens, 
to make them more available for the public. 

The most important addition to the parks of the Borough in the 
past two years Is "Astoria Park" on the East River, In Astoria, which 
was acquired by resolution of the Board of Estimate on July 31, 1913, 
title being vested In the City of New York on October 9, 1913. It Is a 
rolling piece of land of over SG acres, which rises gradually from the 
water's edge at Hell Gate to an elevation of 60 feet. Plans have been 
prepared by the Park Department for Its development with tennis courts, 
playgrounds, athletic field, etc. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



89 




KissENA Lake in Kissena Lake Park, Between Flushing and Jamaica. 




Municipal Club House at Forest Park. 



90 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Power, Light and Heat 




HE development of a modern community depends upon an 
adequate and cheap supply of both electricity and gas 
for power, lighting and heating purposes. It is an in- 
dustrial advantage to have reliable power from a central 
station source of supply for the operation of machinery, 
and for the lighting of factories and homes. Gas is also 
economical and dependable for industrial heating and power purposes, as 
well as lighting. 

Electric Companies. 

Output in K. W. Hrs. 
Company Territory Served 1912 1913 Increase 

New York & Queens Electric 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 

Light & Power Co 4th Wards 15,043,846 17,714,973 2,671,127 

Queens Borough Gas & Elec- 
tric Co 5th Ward 2,372,284 2,623,521 251,237 

Electricity supplied by a central station requires no investment for 
engines, generators and auxiliaries, and for the floor space which they oc- 
cupy. It does away with the cost of fuel, labor supply, increased taxes, 
insurance, and fire regulation. It is reliable, safe, clean, efficient and 
economical. Electricity is supplied to all parts of Queens Borough at 
rates which compare favorably with those of any city on the Atlantic 
•coast generating power by steam. The system of the New York & Queens 
Electric Light & Power Company Is Inter-connected with the Waterside 
"Station of the New York Edison Company in Manhattan, the new station 
of the United Electric Light & Power Co., and through them to the Inter- 
borough and Brooklyn Rapid Transit power houses, thus insuring against 
breakdowns. Exceptional facilities are offered to the manufacturer for 
power, as well as for lighting of residences. Detail rates will be given 
on application to the companies. 




Business Section of Jamaica, Showing Remodeled Building of County Clerk. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



91 



Gas Companies. 

Territory Miles of Rate per 

Company Ser-ved Mains M Cu. Ft. 
Astoria Light, Heat & Power 

Co. (a) 1st Ward .70 .80 

East River Gas Co. (b) 1st Ward 86.32 .80 

Newtown Gas Co 2nd Ward 171.96 .95 

New York & Queens Gas Co. 3rd Ward 96.25 1.00 

Jamaica Gas Light Co 4th Ward 74.84 1.00 

Richmond Hill & Queens Gas 

Light Co 4th Ward 30.99 1.00 

Woodhaven Gas Light Co. . . 4th Ward 80.50 1.00 
Queensboro Gas & Electric 

Co 5th Ward 144.66 1.15 

Total 686.22 



Output in M Cu. Ft. 
1912 1913 Increase 



173 
450,197 
654,594 
209,381 
142,382 


151 
490,751 
742,039 
220,679 
162,952 


40,554 
87,445 
11,298 
20,570 


122,444 
208,639 


127,832 
239,542 


5,388 
30,903 


172,459 


192,670 


20,211 



1,960,269 2,176,616 216,369 



(a) The Astoria Light, Heat & Power Co., located in the northwest section of Astoria, 
sells practically all of its output to the Consolidated Gas Co., of New York, which supplies 
the Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. The total output for the year 1913 was 10,- 
372,054 M cubic feet, of which only 151 M cubic feet was consumed in Queens. One unit 
alone produces 20,000,000 cubic feet of gas daily. The entire nine units of which the plant 
will be composed will have a total capacitj- of 250,000,000 cubic feet of gas daily. This 
plant, which covers an area of 3 50 acres, is the largest gas-producing plant in the world. 

(b) The East River Gas Co. is a subsidiary of the New Amsterdam Gas Co., which 
in 1913 supplied 3,960,476 M cubic feet to Manhattan in addition to that supplied in Queens. 

The Newtown Gas Co., the Jamaica Gas Light Co., the Richmond Hill & Queens Gas 
Light Co., and the Woodhaven Gas Co. are all subsidiary Companies of the Brooklyn Union 
Gas Co. 

The Queens Borough Gas & Electric Co. operates solely in the Fifth Ward, and supplies 
both gas and electricity to the Rockaway Peninsula section. 




View of Main Street, Flushing, Showing One of the Many Modern Moving Picture 
Theatres Which Have Been Constructed Recently in Queens Borough. 



92 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




Government 

HE chief executive of tlie Borough of Queens is the 
Borough President. The Presidents of the Boroughs 
are elected every four years at the same time as the 
Mayor, Comptroller, and the President of the Board of 
Aldermen, and the present term expires December 31st, 
1917. The Presidents of the Boroughs are also mem- 
bers of the Board of Estimate, which controls the finances of the city. 
The President of the Borough presides over all local boards, which are 
empowered to initiate such improvements as grading and paving streets 
and constructing sewers, subject to the approval of the Board of Estimate 
if they involve an assessment. All petitions for local improvements 
should be addressed to the President of the Borough for presentation to 
the local board having jurisdiction. The President of the Borough has 
cognizance and control of all matters relating to the Improvement and 
repair of public buildings within his Borough except schools, hospitals, 
fire and police stations. He Is empowered to exercise the supervision 
vested in the city over the construction of new buildings, except such 
powers as are directly vested In the Tenement House Department. The 
Borough President may appoint a Commissioner of Public Works, whose 
duty It is to discharge all the administrative powers of the President re- 
lating to streets, sewers, public buildings and schools. In addition to other 
powers, the President of the Borough of Queens has jurisdiction over the 
cleaning of streets, the removal of ashes and garbage, and the prepara- 
tion of the topographical map. 

Borough Government. 

Office Name Address 

President Maurice E. Connolly Long Island City 

Secretary Joseph Flanagan 

Prmate Secretary Hugh Hall 

Commissioner of Public IVorks. James A. Davton 

Asst. " " " " .M. O. Smedley 

Consulting Engineer Foster Crowell 

Supt. of Hig/i'ways G. Howland Leavitt 

" " Buildings John W. Moore 

" " Sewers H. R. Higgins 

" " Street Cleaning Daniel Entholdt 

" " Public Buildings ....Joseph Sullivan Flushing 

Eng., Topographical Bureau ..Clifford B. Moore Long Island City 

County Government. 

Office Name Address 

County Judge Burt Jay Humphrey Long Island City 

Sheriff George Eraener " 

District Attorney Denis O'Leary " 

Commissioner of Jurors Thorndyke C. McKennee " 

County Clerk Leonard Ruoff Jamaica 

Surrogate Daniel Noble " 

Public Administrator Randolph White " 

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94 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

City of New York Municipal Government. 

Board of Estimate and Apportionment 

Office Name Address 

Mayor John Purroy Mitchel City Hall, New York, N. Y. 

Comptroller William A. Prendergast 280 Broadway, " 

President Board of Aldermen. .George McAneny City Hall, " 

"■ Boro. of Manhattan. .Marcus M. Marks Municipal Bldg., " 

" " Bronx Douglas Mathewson 3rd Ave. & 177th St., Bronx 

" " Brooklyn . . Lewis H. Pounds Borough Hall, Brooklyn 

" " Queens ....Maurice E. Connolly " " L. I. City 

" " Richmond ..Charles J. McCormack New Brighton, Staten Island 

City Departments 
Commissioner of Bridges F. J. H. Kracke Municipal Bldg., New York 

" Docks & Ferries R. A. C. Smith Pier A, North River, N. Y. 

" Parks (Queens) John E. Weier Forest Park, Richmond Hill, L.I. 

" Health Dr. S. Goldwater Centre & Walker Sts., N. Y. 

" Charities John A. Kingsbury Foot of E. 26th St., New York 

" Licenses Herman Robinson 277 Broadway, New York 

" Tax & Assessments ...Lawson Purdy, Pres Hall of Records, New York 

" Water Supply, Gas & 

Electricity Henry S. Thompson 15 Park Row, New York 

Deputy Commissioner (Queens). Thomas F. Dwyer Long Island City 

Fire Commissioner Robert Adamson . 157 E. 67th St., New York 

Police " Arthur Woods 240 Centre St., " 

Tenement House Commissioner .John J. Murphy 44 East 23rd St., " 

Corporation Counsel Frank L. Polk Hall of Records, " 

Legislative Department. 
The legislative power of the city is vested in the Board of Aldermen, 
the members of which are elected every two years, and the President of 
the Board, and the Presidents of the five Boroughs. The following are 
the Aldermen from the Borough of Queens : 

Newtown District 
District Name Address 

Sixty-sixth Samuel J. Burden Long Island City 

Sixty-seventh A. C. Benninger Ridgewood, L. I. 

Sixty-eighth Alexander Dujat Corona, L. I. 

Jamaica District 

Sixty-ninth Chas. Augustus Post Flushing, L. I. 

Seventieth J. Kochendorf er Richmond Hill, L. I. 

New York State Legislature. 
Senate. 
The County of Queens constitutes the Second Senate District for the 
State of New York. The present Senator is Bernard M. Patten, of 
Flushing. 

Assembly. 

Assembly District Name Address 

First Nicholas Nehrbauer Astoria 

Second Peter J. McGary Long Island City 

Third Wm. H. O'Hare Glendale 

Fourth George E. Polhemus Jamaica 

U. S. House of Representatives. 

First District Lathrop Brown St. James, L. I. 

Second District Charles Pope Caldwell Forest Hills, L. I. 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



95 



Building Development 




O greater proof is needed of the character of the present 
growth of the Borough and the prospect for its future 
development than the figures of the building construction 
for the past year. Despite the depressing eflfect that the 
European war had on the building development through- 
out the United States, which, in sixty-eight leading cities, 
resulted in a nine per cent decrease in the value of new buildings, Queens 
Borough showed a substantial gain of over a half a million dollars in the 
cost of new construction. 

With 4,596 permits for new buildings costing $18,098,290, and 2,909 
permits for alterations costing $1,275,181, or a total of $19,373,471 for 
building construction in 1914, Queens Borough would rank seventh among 
the principal cities of the United States in building construction, being 
exceeded by only the cities of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Phila- 
delphia and San Francisco. 

The following table shows the total number of new buildings con- 
structed in the Borough of Queens since consolidation as part of New 
York City. It shows a total of 52,129 new buildings, valued at $203,- 
989,686. This does not include, however, the cost of alterations to 
buildings, which would add to this total several million dollars. 











Increase 


Per Cent 


Anjerage 


Year 


No. 


Inc. No. 


Value 


(Decrease — ) 


Inc. 


Value 


1898 


772 




$ 2,538,216 






$3,290 


1899 


1,011 


239 


3,341,269 


$803,053 


31.6 


3,310 


1900 


947 


—64 


2,920,991 


—420,278 


—12.6 


3,085 


1901 


1,450 


503 


4,710,492 


1,789,501 


61.3 


3,250 


1902 


1,231 


—219 


5,159,979 


448,487 


9.5 


4,190 


1903 


1,321 


90 


4,829,929 


—330,050 


—6.4 


3,660 


1904 


1,923 


602 


8,863,774 


2,033,845 


42.1 


4,600 


1905 


3,251 


1,328 


12,827,960 


3,964,186 


44.7 


3,945 


1906 


4,070 


819 


17,003,216 


4,175,256 


32.5 


4,180 


1907 


3,929 


—141 


15,944,259 


—1,053,957 


—6.2 


4,060 


1908 


3,896 


—33 


13,842,300 


—2,101,959 


—13.2 


3,560 


1909 


4,758 


862 


19,407,921 


5,565,621 


40.0 


4,080 


1910 


4,133 


—625 


15,144,377 


4,263,544 


22.2 


3,670 


1911 


5,374 


1,241 


22,212,258 


7,067,881 


46.6 


4,130 


1912 


4,821 


—553 


19,624,222 


—1,570,036 


—11.6 


4,070 


1913 


4,646 


—175 


17,521,235 


—2,102,987 


—11.0 


3,780 


1914 


4,596 


—50 


18,098,290 


577,055 


3.3 


3,940 


Total 


52,129 


$203,989,686 


$3,900 



Building By Wards. 



1913 



Ward No. 

First 352 

Second 1,339 

Third 464 

Fourth 1,585 

Fifth 906 

Total 4,646 



1914 



Cost 


No. 


Cost 


$3,225,559 


362 


$5,402,025 


5,989,146 


1,314 


6,056,439 


1,282,959 


421 


1,368,965 


4,689,240 


1,478 


3,977,491 


2,334,361 


1,021 


1,293,370 


$17,521,235 


4,596 


$18,098,290 



96 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Types of New Buildings Constructed in 1913 and 1914. 



1913 



1914 



No. 


Est. Cost 


Classification 


No. 


Est. Cost 


2,530 


$ 6,540,471 


Frame Dwellings 


2,309 


$ 5,823,984 


536 


2,455,410 


Brick Dwellings 


505 


2,123,550 


76 


198,460 


Frame Stores and Dwellings 


86 


204,075 


131 


654,650 


Brick Stores and Dwellings 


234 


1,180,850 


7 


35,500 


Frame Tenements 


11 


48,400 


247 


2,999,500 


Brick Tenements 


293 


3,649,800 


95 


899,000 


Brick Stores and Tenements 


30 


361,500 


53 


335,475 


Public Buildings (Amusements) 


40 


375,200 


4 


98,500 


Public Buildings (Municipal) 






56 


1,107,150 


Manufactories and Workshops 


53 


2,056,200 


10 


51,900 


Churches 


12 


139,800 


11 


727,579 


Schools 


8 


925,000 


16 


156,200 


Hotels and Boarding Houses 


2 


41,000 


3 


347,600 


Hospitals 


1 


1,000 


20 


282,625 


Warehouses, etc. 


18 


488,400 


16 


98,300 


Office Buildings 


5 


60,000 


241 


249,673 


Garages 


347 


241,136 


80 


131,680 


Stables 


79 


139,100 


514 


151,562 


Other Frame Buildings 


563 


239,295 



4,646 $17,521,235 4,596 $18,098,290 

The following table, compiled from data prepared each year by the 
Long Island Railroad, gives an estimate of the number of buildings con- 
structed in the various sections of Queens for the past six years: 



Arverne 

Bayside 

Broadway (Flushing) .... 

Bushwick Junction, Maspeth 

and Middle Village .... 

College Point 

Corona 

Douglaston 

Dunton 

Edgemere 

Elmhurst 

Far Rockaway 

Floral Park 

Flushing 

Forest Hill 

Glendale 

Hollis 

Jamaica 

Kew 

Laurel Hill 

Little Neck 

Long Island City 

Malba 

Morris Park 

Queens 

Ramblersville 

Richmond Hill 

Rockaway Beach 

St. Albans 

Springfield 

Whitestone 

Winfield 

Woodhaven (Sect.) 

Woodside 

Totals 3,708 















Total 


1909 


1910 


1911 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1909-14 


60 


57 


34 


152 


70 


41 


414 


77 


82 


138 


178 


48 


37 


560 


37 


116 


41 


36 


15 


43 


288 


151 


224 


242 


173 


304 


165 


1,259 


113 


36 


42 


125 


137 


101 


554 


177 


547 


372 


301 


458 


240 


2,095 


28 


34 


33 


53 


17 


12 


177 








225 


153 


105 


483 


7 


15 


28 


25 


43 


64 


185 


54 


96 


165 


149 


228 


220 


912 


129 


132 


45 


35 


40 


48 


429 








18 


25 


14 


57 


282 


180 


291 


290 


315 


205 


1,573 




29 


113 


171 


73 


70 


456 








67 


82 


530 


679 


72 


81 


100 


39 


40 


33 


365 


543 


487 


701 


700 


500 


316 


3,247 




31 


7 


40 


75 


39 


192 


8 


6 


9 


13 


4 


5 


45 


5 


8 


20 


10 


6 


8 


57 


295 


315 


357 


409 


352 


362 


1,991 


17 


19 


21 






3 


60 


51 


59 


325 


228 


24 


IS 


702 


45 


85 


29 


86 


17 


17 


279 








14 


19 


14 


47 


401 


326 


527 


375 


227 


79 


1,935 


553 


434 


303 


440 


326 


405 


2,461 


9 


7 


11 


41 


8 


13 


89 


83 


44 


51 


29 


39 


20 


266 


61 


64 


45 


118 


39 


43 


370 


19 


29 


36 


34 


14 


23 


551 


422 


355 


387 


367 


275 


383 


2,189 


9 


26 


16 


14 


6 


15 


86 



3,924 4,529 



4,955 



3,979 



25,053 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



97 



Public Libraries 

HE Queens Borough Public Library is one of the three 
public libraries of the City of New York, and part of 
its educational system; and it is the right and privilege 
of all residents of the Borough to use it free of cost. 
The Library contains 194,199 volumes, including all 
classes of reading. The administrative offices are located 
in Jamaica, and the Chief Librarian is Miss J. F. Hume. 

The work of the library is carried on in 20 branches located through- 
out the Borough, which are supplemented by 16 traveling library stations. 
The circulation for the year 1914 was 1,344,842, which was the 13th 
largest circulation of any library in the United States. The following 
is a list of the branches and stations throughout the Borough: 




Branch Location Started 

Nelson 244 Jackson Ave., Long Island City 1896 

Steinway 441 Potter Ave., Long Island City 1897 

Astoria Main and Woolsey Sts., Long Island City 1899 

Ozone Park 4138 Jerome Ave., Ozone Park 1900 

Richmond Hill . . . Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill 1901 

Hollis Fulton St. and Iroquois Ave., Hollis 1901 

Queens Whittier St. and Wertland Ave., Queens 1901 

Flushing Main St., Flushing 1902 

Poppenhusen 13th St., College Point 1903 

Far Rockaway . . . Central and Mott Aves., Far Rockaway 1904 

Elmhurst Broadway and Cook Ave., Elmhurst 1906 

Bayside Elsie Place, Bayside 1906 

Broadvfay 298 Steinway Ave., Long Island City 1906 

Jamaica 402 Fulton St., Jamaica 1906 

Whitestone 30 Eighth Ave., Whitestone 1907 

Seaside Boulevard and Oceanus Ave., Rockaway Beach 1908 

Woodside Greenpoint and Betts Aves., Woodside 1910 

Manor 1229 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven 1911 

Ridgewood 476 Onderdonk Ave., Ridgewood Heights 1911 

Corona 43 Kingsland Ave., Corona 1911 



Ci 



Traveling Library Stations 

Springfield Higbie Ave., Springfield 

Winfield Queens Boulevard and Madison Ave., Winfield 

Evergreen 46 Catalpa Ave., Ridgewood 

Broadway Depot Lane, near 22nd St., Flushing 

Glendale 123 Edison Ave., Glendale 

Rockaway Park . . 5th, near Washington Ave., Rockaway Park 

Maspeth 80 Grand St., Maspeth 

Middle Village . . .2177 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village 

South Ozone Park. Rockaway Road and Presberger Ave., South Ozone Park 

Forest Hills Forest Hills Inn, Forest Hills 

Louona Park 80 — 43rd St., Corona 

Cedar Manor 435 New York Ave., Cedar Manor 

Douglaston Main Ave., Douglaston 

Laurel Hill P. S. No. 76, Long Island City \ 

Arverne Boulevard and Park Ave., Arverne 

Ravenswood P. S. No. 83, Long Island City 

Small Collections 

Total Circulation 1914 



1909 
1910 
1910 
1911 
1911 
1911 
1911 
1911 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1914 
1914 
1914 



rculation 
1914 
49,378 
33,999 
75,833 
44,250 
87,629 
16,264 
13,282 
78,749 
51,361 
49,099 
67,761 
29,404 
64,753 
91,900 
32,029 
53,027 
37,881 
89,507 
96,706 
49,466 



14,355 
6,590 

32,980 
5,737 

23,090 
7,848 

20,490 

13,575 

11,712 
9,611 

22,573 
7,203 
4,645 
3,467 
1,325 
1,296 

46,067 



1,344,842 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



99 



Water Supply 



HE total average daily consumption of water in the 
Borough of Queens for the year 1913 was 33,000,000 
gallons (about 100 gallons per capita), of which the 
greater proportion was supplied by private water com- 
panies, and the balance by municipal stations. Ample 
provision has been made for the Borough of Queens by 
New York City for the distribution of the Catskill Water Supply. One 
big main which is under construction will supply Queens with over 40 - 
000,000 gallons per day. 

Average Daily 
Consumption 1913 




_ fVard Supply 

First Ward Brooklyn sources, 8.3 m.g.d. ; 

S^Ponrl w A Flushing Pumping Station, 1.7 m.g.d 10,000,000 gals. 

^U^AX^^'/ •■•• Citizens Water Supply Co 8 300 000 " 

I tiird W ard Flushing and Bayside Pumping Stations 4 300 000 " 

Fourth Ward .... Jamaica Water Supply Co., 6.2 m.g.d. ; %i^^,v^yi 

Fifth W.rH Woodhaven Water Supply Co., 2.1 m.g.d 8,300,000 " 

i-itth Ward Queens County Water Co 2,100,000 " 



Total 



33,000,000 



Paper 
Daily Star 
L. I. Beobachter 



Newspapers 



1st Ward 

Editor 
T. S. Weeks 
John Hering 



Address 
Long Island City 
Astoria 



Newtown Register 
The Queens Chronicle 
Ridgewood Times 
Ridgewood Review 



Flushing Journal 
Flushing Times 
Borough Bulletin 
Whitestone Herald 



2nd Ward 

Charles F. White 
J. J. Gotthelf 
George Schubel 

3rd Ward 

J. H. Ridenour 
C. H. Shoeles 
Harry Sutphin 
Alfred L. Gould 



Elmhurst 
Corona 
Ridgewood 
Ridgewood 



Flushing 
Flushing 
Flushing 
Whitestone 



Long Island Farmer 
Richmond Hill Record 
Leader-Observer 
South Ozone News 



4th Ward 

J. Kennahan 
Edwin G. Heath 
Alfred J. Ball 
R. L. & H. A. Smith 



Jamaica 
Richmond Hill 
Woodhaven 
South Ozone 



Rockaway News 
Rockaway Journal 
The Wave 
The Argus 



5th Ward 

M. P. McNamara 
Harvey Beagel 
D. W. Murray 
John C. Young 



Far Rockaway 
Far Rockaway 
Rockaway Beach 
Rockaway Beach 



100 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




East River at Whitestone (Beechhurst). 



Advertisers 



PAGE 

Adikes, J. & T 108 

Bank of Long Island 114- 

Bloodgood, Wm. D., & Co 101 

Bloomlngdale Department Store 126 

Broadway Trust Co 117 

Brooklyn Eagle Job Print 126 

Brunswick-Balke Collender Co 124 

Cassebeer Pharmacal Co 108 

Clonin & Messenger 118 

Clute, Wm. T 124 

Consolidated Gas Company of New 



York 



123 



Cord Meyer Development Co 115 

Corn Exchange Bank 113 

Cross & Brown Company 120 

Degnon Realty and Improvement Co 105 

Empire Art Metal Co., The 109 

First Mortgage Guarantee Co 122 

First National Bank of Corona 118 

General Vehicle Co., Inc 112 

Gillespie, Earl A 126 

Home Insurance Co., The 106 

Home Title Insurance Co 112 

Jamaica Gas Light Co • • 118 

Jump Lumber Co., Inc 120 

Kew Gardens Corporation 116 



Long Island Bond & Mortgage Co 116 

Long Island Railroad 121 

Mathews, G. X., Company 110 

Morgenthau, Maxmilian, Jr., Co 126 

National Sugar Refining Co., The 125 

Newtown Gas Company 114 

New York Architectural Terra Cotta 

Co 114 

New York & East River Ferry Co 104 

New York & Queens Electric Light & 

Power Co 107 

Queensboro Corporation 103 

Queens County Trust Co 102 

Queens-Court Realty Co 122 

Queensboro Terminal HI 

Rae, William P., Company HO 

Raymond Concrete Pile Co 104 

Rickert-Finlay Realty Co 106 

Ryan, George J 102 

Sage Foundation Homes Co 119 

Shore Acres Realty Co 124 

Smith, Leonard C. L 126 

Thompson, Burton & Co. (Inc.) 108 

Weisberg-Baer Co 116 

Willey, C. A., Co 116 

Young & Metzner 120 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



101 



LONG ISLAND CITY 

BOROUGH OF QUEENS 




One of the Industries we located in Long Island City during 1914 

FACTORY SITES 

With or without Railroad Sidings Waterfront Property 

For Sale or For Lease 

Apartment House Sites, With Building Loans 

Send for our map of Long Island City, showing Industries, 
new Transit Lines and Stations 

WM. D. BLOODGOOD & CO. 

INCORPORATED 

REAL ESTATE 

BRIDGE PLAZA N., LONG ISLAND CITY 

TELEPHONES 1605-1606 ASTORIA 

542 FIFTH AVENUE .... new YORK CITY 



102 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Queens County Trust Company 

JAMAICA LONG ISLAND CITY 



CONDUCTS A GENERAL BANKING AND TRUST BUSINESS 

AND OFFERS EVERY ADVANTAGE TO ITS CUSTOMERS 

CONSISTENT WITH SOUND BANKING 

CHECKING ACCOUNTS may be opened by any reputable 
person, their fttnds being subject to order or demand* 

BANKING BY MAIL— We make a specialty of this department. 
It is easy to do your banking business without visiting the 
bank at all. Write us and we will explain the way it is done. 

Whatever a bank can do, we can do as well or better and also act as 



GUARDIAN, TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, OR REGISTRAR 

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES FOR RENT AT A NOMINAL FEE PER ANNUM 



VISIT the most rapidly developing section of Greater New 
York and see some of our attractive residences and fac- 
tory sites. Transportation and shipping facilities ideal. 
A little time spent in investigating this section will be time 
well spent. My office is at your service __i.tL' 



GEORGE J. RYAN 

Real Estate, Mortgage Loans, and Insurance 
46 JACKSON AVENUE (Near 4th Street) 

LONG ISLAND CITY, N. Y. 



APPRAISER OF REAL ESTATE Telephones, 3451 and 3452 Hunters Point 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



103 



JACKSON HEIGHTS 




PENRHYN COURT and OBAN COURT 

Modern apartments recently erected at Jackson Heights — 
corner Hayes Avenue and 25th Street. 

JACKSON HEIGHTS extends from Jackson Avenue to 
Roosevelt Avenue, and fronts 16 blocks on Jackson Avenue and 
10 blocks on Roosevelt Avenue. 

High elevation. Restrictions. Two trolley lines, ten minutes 
ride to industrial centre of Long Island City. Twenty minutes 
ride to 59th Street and Second Avenue, Manhattan. 

Five stations of the Dual Rapid Transit System to be 
operated by the Interboro and Brooklyn Rapid Transit are on or 
adjacent to Jackson Heights. The new transit will connect 
property with all parts of Greater New York, for a five-cent 
fare. Running time to Grand Central Station will be fifteen 
minutes. 

The Queensboro Corporation 

Bridge Plaza North Borough of Queens 

Telephone, Astoria 801 



104 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



CONCRETE PILES 

Raymond Concrete Pile Co. 

140 Cedar Street New York 

A FORM FOR EVERY PILE 
A PILE FOR EVERY PURPOSE 

Sildi'nll^ihf BOROUGH OF QUEENS -""pp<""<i 
RAYMOND CONCRETE PILES 

Brewster Building, Bridge Plaza, L. I. City 

Queens Plaza Court, Bridge Plaza, L. I. City 

Postal Telegraph Co., Rockaway, N. Y. 

General Vehicle Co., L. I. City 

American Agricultural Chemical Co., Blissville, L. I. 

Goodyear Rubber & Tire Co., L. I. City 

Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co., Garage, L. I. City 

American Ever Ready Co., L. I. City 

National Casket Co., L. L City 

Ford Motor Co., L. I. City 

Elevated Railway Structure, L. I. City 

Brett Lithographing Co., L. I. City 

// Interested Send for Catalogue 



NEW YORK and EAST RIVER 
FERRY COMPANY 




From Foot of Fulton Avenue, Astoria 

TO 

East 92d Street, New York City 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



105 




A GLANCE AT Ti ABOVE TELLS OlIRSTORV 

ALL RAILROADS AT YOUR DOOR— CARTAGE ELIMINATED. 

Rapid Transit Service connecting with Boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx and 
Brooklyn for 5c. fare. 

Ten Minutes to Grand Central Station, Times Square and S9th Street and 
Fifth Avenue. 

More factories have been located in this vicinity than any other part of 
Greater New York during the past year. 

Separate buildings may be had containing 16,000 to 1,000,000 square feet of 
floor space. 

Sites for apartment houses on hilltop adjoining. 

SPECIAL INDUCEMENTS TO BUILDERS. 

For maps and other information, apply to 

DEGNON REALTY AND TERMINAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY 

30 East 42d Street 

Telephone. Murray Hill 7505 NeW York CitV 



106 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



1454 LOTS 

close to the Second Avenue 
elevated road in the heart of 

Long Island City 

Send or call for information 



Telephone 5600 Greeley 



1 VS^est 34th Street 



LARGEST IN CAPITAL LARGEST IN ASSETS 

LARGEST IN SURPLUS TO POLICY HOLDERS 



H 

CO 

X 

H 

H 

o 



THE HOME 

INSURANCE COMPANY 

NEW YORK 



Marine — Inland and Ocean 

Automobile 

Windstorm 

Parcel Post 

Registered Mail 

Sprinkler Leakage 



FIRE 



Cash Capital 

Cash Assets, January 1, 1915 . 
Liabilities (except cash capital) 
Surplus as reg^ards Policyholders 



Use and Occupancy 

Commissions 

Profits 

Rents 

Hail 

Tourists' Baggage 

$6,000,000 
35,313,539 
16,610,065 
18,703,474 



o 

o 

z: 

CO 

H 

CO 

O 
U 



ELBRIDGE G. snow, President 
FREDERIC C. BUSWELL, Vice-President CLARENCE A. LUDLUM, Vice-President 

CHARLES L. TYNER, Vice-Pres. and Secy. 
AREUNAH M. BURTIS, Secretary HENRY L FERRIS, Assistant Secretary 

HOWARD P. MOORE, Assistant Secretary VINCENT P. WYATT, Assistant Secretary 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



107 




(A Typical Factory Using Our Electric Power.) 

THE POWER QUESTION 

You are in business to make a certain product requirin^f raw 
material and power. You do not consider making: your 
raw material because it would not pay you. You are not 
expert at it. Neither are you expert in the manufacture 
of power. 

Then why invest your capital in a power plant? Why not devote it 
all to your business? Why not buy power the same as you do other 
materials ? 

We say why not because we make a business of manufacturing power — 
we manufacture it on a large scale, and can deliver it at your door at less 
cost than you can produce it yourself. 

Besides the expense, think of the trouble and annoyance you would save 
yourself by using our power that is delivered at your door in any quantity 
needed, any hour of the twenty-four, every day. 

Write for our booklet on how to reduce the cost of Employee's Liability 
Insurance to the manufacturer. 

New York & Queens Electric Light & Power Co. 

444 JACKSON AVENUE LONG ISLAND CITY 



108 



|p300C 



L 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



300C 



DOOC 



300C 



300C 



roooc 



BURTON THOMPSON & CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

7 WALL STREET :: NEW YORK 

WE Specialize in Long Island City Properties. 
E solicit the patronage of buyers and sellers. 
Our effort is to serve as brokers either those desiring 
to purchase, to sell, to borrow or to lend money in 
this section of Queens Borough 

BURTON THOMPSON & CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

7 WALL STREET :: NEW YORK 



3«0i 



=Q 














JOHN ADIKES 



TOM ADIKES 



Business Established 1855 



J. &T. ADIKES 

(Members of Produce Exchange) 

Wholesale Grocers 



AND DIRECT RECEIVERS 

Flour, Hay, Grain, and Feed 

FULL LINE 

Poultry Supplies and Remedies 

GRAIN ELEVATORS AND STORES 

JAMAICA— AND — FLUSHING 



AFTER SHAVING 

USE 

CREME ELCAYA 



Shakes the Skin 
Like Velvet 



CASSEBEER PHARMACAL CO* 
LONG ISLAND CITY 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 109 



JOHN W. RAPP, President-Treasurer ANDREW J. CONNELL, Vice-President 

WILLIAM C. LANGE, Secretary 



r 1800 1 

Telephones < 1801 > Flushing 
I 1802 j 



THE EMPIRE 

ART METAL COMPANY 

INCORPORATED 

Manufacturers of 

Hollow Steel Doors and 
Interior Trim, etc. 



PLANT: 



Second to Third Avenue and 
Eighth to Ninth Street 

COLLEGE POINT, N. Y. 



no 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



ESTABLISHED 1879 



WILLIAM P. RAE COMPANY 

Real Estate 

AUCTIONEERS APPRAISERS 



Brooklyn Office 
Manhattan Office 



180 Montague Street 
Woolworth Building 



^^UR office maintains a record transfer 

^^ system and we are fully equipped to 

make appraisals of Real Estate throughout 

Greater New York. 

Expert appraisers in condemnation proceedings 







Biggest 

Real 

Estate 

Success 

in 

Greater 

NewYork 



The best real estate investment in Greater New York today is one of our6-family "Model Flats" adjoining the Myrtle 
Ave. "L," Ridgewood. Twenty-seven minutes from City Hall, N. Y., 5c. fare. Nothing like it anywhere. We have 
demonstrated to hundreds of buyers that they PAY better, give a SURER income and will make MORE MONEY than 
anything else in the market. 
i/v/v WW n I 1 1 f A \T n 1 O'^'' record of over 400 houses sold is the best evidence of what they 

400 Houses iSold, 150 Now Ready --; $2,000 cash required. Rental income $1,138 per year. Pay 10 
' •' per cent, to ftU per cent, on money invested. Lots /ifi^xlUU. 

RENTS $15 AND $16 MONTHLY (5 ROOMS AND BATH) 

Not a single vacancy in 600 apartments. Guarantees sure income. Two "L" stations on property 

Open for inspection 

The G. X. MATHEWS COMPANY 

OFFICE No. 1852 PUTNAM AVENUE 
Cor. Onderdonk. "Ridgewood," Brooklyn. Get off at Forest or Seneca Ave. station. Myrtle Ave. "L" 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. Ill 

QUEENSBORO 
TERMINAL 

13th and 14th Streets and East River 
Long Island City, Borough of Queens, New York 

IS NOW OPEN FOR THE RECEIPT AND DELIVERY 

OF FREIGHT VIA THE FOLLOWING: 

RAIL LINES: LONG ISLAND SOUND LINES: 

New York Central R. R. Metropolitan S. S. Company. 

,,, „, _ ., , Maine Steamship Company. 

West Shore Railroad. 

Erie Railroad. COASTWISE LINES: 

T^ , T 1 o \iT J. r> Tj Old Dominion Steamship Co. 

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. Qcean Steamship Company of Savannah. 

Lehigh Valley Railroad. Southern Pacific Company (Morgan Line). 

Central R. R. of New Jersey. Cl^n^ Steamship Company. 

•^ Mallory Steamship Company. 



HUDSON RIVER LINES: 



Baltimore & Ohio R. R. 

Central Vermont Railway Co. , , ^ . 

New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. Sn's Lin^ 'f°;r Troy."' 

New York, Ontario & Western R. R. Murray's Line. 



These lines, with their connections, include every railroad in the United 
States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Arrangements with these lines are such that shipments delivered to us 
before closing time each day are forwarded via the Fast Freight Trains or 
Steamers of the respective lines, with the same despatch that is given freight 
from their own piers and stations in New York City. 

Freight rates to all points, with a very few exceptions, are identically 
the same as from New York. 

By shipping at the Queensboro Terminal the necessity of carting freight 
to EACH of the individual Rail and Steamship Lines is avoided, as we fur- 
nish the same Despatch, Service, and Freight Rates. YOU SAVE CARTAGE. 

The merchants and manufacturers of the Borough of Queens have now 
the same facilities for the prompt and economical transportation of their 
products as their competitors in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Abandon antiquated methods of shipping and give us a trial. 

YOU WILL BE CONVINCED. 

BROOKLYN EASTERN DISTRICT TERMINAL 

MAIN OFFICE, 129 FRONT STREET, NEW^ YORK CITY 
Service is the only advertisement that can be read in the dark 



112 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



G. V. ELECTRIC TRUCKS 

Here is a 2-ton G. V. Electric operated by the New York & Queens Electric Light & 

Power Company. It is one of 19 used by this progressive Central Station, 

which serves Queens borough business men and Queens borough 

homes so well. 




On another page you will find other data about the world's largest Electric truck plant 

— in Queens borough. There are over 1,500 G. V. Electric trucks and wagons 

in operation in Greater New York. How about one or two for 

your delivery service ? Catalogue ? Certainly. 

GENERAL VEHICLE COMPANY, INC. 

General Office and Factory, Long Island City, N. Y. 



NEW YORK 



CHICAGO 



BOSTON 



PHILADELPHIA 



OUR JAMAICA OFFICE 

is equipped with every facility for examining titles to real estate 
and making building and permanent loans in Queens County. 

We shall be pleased to co-operate with the Chamber of 
Commerce in every possible way "to promote the general welfare 
of the Borough of Queens." 

HOIVIE TITLE 
Ilsyi^JRATVCE C9 

•^ .^^NEWYORK 

POST OFFICE BUILDING 
JAMAICA, L. I. 

Capital, Surplus and Profits over $1,000,000 

OSCAR JACOBS F. S. STEBBINS 

Manager In Charge of Law Dept. 

Advisory Committee: 

HENRY B. DAVENPORT, President GEORGE C. DICKEL, Vice-President 

HARRY B. HAWKINS, Director 



Brooklyn Office: 383 Jay Street, Cor. Willoughby Street 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



113 



Wf^t Corn Cxcljange IBank 

^iUiam and 2&eaber Mtttt^ 
l^etD fork 



(S=^^=S>§====§> 



Capital, Surplus and Profits, $10,000,000 



<S===^:=:5>(?==%=:5) 



William A. Nash 
Chairman of the Board 



Walter E. Frew 
President 

William H. Nichols 
Vice-President 

John T. Perkins 
Vice-President 

Francis H. Page 
Vice-President 

Frederick T. Martin 
Cashier 



William E. Williams 
Assistant Cashier 

John S. Wheelan 
Assistant Cashier 

Edward S. Malmar 
Assistant Cashier 

Dunham B. Sherer 
Assistant Cashier 

Richard D. Brown 
Assistant Cashier 



BRANCHES LOCATED ON LONG ISLAND 



Brooklyn Branch 

Court and Joralemon Streets 

South Brooklyn Branch 

79 Hamilton Avenue, Brooklyn 

Myrtle Avenue Branch 

Myrtle Avenue and Broadway, 
Brooklyn 

Queens County Branch 

Jackson Avenue and Fourth 
Street, Borough of Queens 

Astoria Branch 

75 Fulton Avenue, Astoria, Bor- 
ough of Queens 



Flatbush Avenue Branch 
19 and 21 Flatbush 
Brooklyn 



Avenue, 



Greenpoint Branch 

Greenpoint and Manhattan Ave- 
nues, Brooklyn 

Plaza Branch 

Bridge Plaza and Academy 
Street, Borough of Queens 

Flushing Branch 

116 Main Street, Flushing, Bor- 
ough of Queens 



Pennsylvania Station Branch 

Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street 

Borough of Manhattan City of New York 



14 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



*.- 



>«» ^fc ** ^fc t* ^^ «»- 



RESOURCES OVER $8,000,000 



Ttt-t; 



TW 



^eMA% 



Any 




Opeq Your 
'Account To-Dix\ 



ACCOMMODATING — ^aWe! Bfr-PR0GRE^5'IV& 



JOSEPH DYKES 



G. W. CRAFT 



S. R. SMITH, President 
\^ice-Presidents 

\'. W. SMITH P. A. ROWLEY 

Cashier 
G. S. DOWNING 

T. B. HANSON ' A. BJORNSON W. S. MILAN 



GAS 

Brings LIGHT, HEAT and 
POWER with PROFIT to 
the HOME and FACTORY 



Visit our office, it will pay 

Tel. 691 NEWTON will 
bring a representative 

The 

Newtown Gas Co. 

GRAND STREET 

Near Hoffman Boulevard 



N^tu fork Arrl|tt^rturd 

In Ravenswood since 1886 



The quality of the "New York 
Company" product and the superior- 
ity of the "New York Company" 
service have been availed of for over 
a quarter century by experienced 
builders and appreciative architects. 

The only Architectural Terra- 
Cotta Company in the Borough of 
Queens — we deliver by truck direct 
to building hour by hour. 



5f^m fork Arri^tt^rturd 
Ql^rra-OIotta Company 

Main Office and Works : 

401 Vernon Ave. Borough of Queens 

One factory — one management — for 
twenty-nine years 

Booklet on Request 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



115 



^^^yHills, L.1 




CWELVE minutes from Pennsyl- 
vania Station, Thirty-third Street 
and Seventh Avenue, New York 
City, eighty-one trains daily. 
Trolley from 59th Street and Sec- 
ond Avenue to Forest Hills, five 
cent fare, running time 35 minutes. Situated 
in high rolling country with every city im- 
provement installed. Houses fifty-nine hun- 
dred to seventeen thousand dollars. Sold on 
easy terms. Houses constructed in best possi- 
ble manner and complete in every detail. 
Lots for sale. 

STflppljotir Base ifatvBt ifitUa 



116 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Branches in all Parts of the World 




BADE MARK. 



CA.WILLEYCO. 

Manufacturers of Specialties in 

COACH 

AUTOMOBILE AND 

CAR PAINTS 

COLORS 

VARNISHES 

UNDERCOATINGS 

ETC. 

Office and Factory : 

Nott and Vernon Avenues 

Hunter's Point, New York City, N. Y. 

Telephone, 2942 Hunter's Point 



A Record In 
Home Building 

Which we believe has never before 
been equalled. Greatest number of 
high-class detached houses erected 
in a single year. 

Surrounding KEW GARDENS Station 

15 MINUTES 
From Herald Square 

where a carefully restricted residen- 
tial community has been established 
in the most attractive and accessible 
section of Greater New York. 

NEW HOUSES $9,350 TO $22,500 

on convenient terms. 
Villa Sites at Reasonable Prices 

For Further Information address 

KEW GARDENS CORPORATION 

JOHN J. BRITTON, Salesmanager 

Marbridge Building, Broadway & 34th St., N.Y. 

Telephone, Greeley 5250 and 5251. 



Cond Island Bond and mortgage Guarantee Company 

QUEENS COUNTY TRUST BUILDING 
JAMAICA - - NEW YORK CITY 

Money to Loan on Bond and Mortgage 

'Pq Investors ^^ ^°^ intend investing in Mortgages, we would be pleased to have you 
examine some which we have for sale before purchasing elsewhere. 

WILLIS H. YOUNG, President 
JAMES MACBETH - Vice-President THEODORE G. CLARKE - Treasurer 

CLINTON T. ROE - - Vice-President GEORGE T. ^VATTS - - Secretary 



ISAAC BAER 
President 



MEYER WEISBERG 
Treasurer 




Telephone, Astoria 433 

The WEISBERG-BAER CO. 

HIGH-GRADE 

INTERIOR WOODWORK 

WINDOW FRAMES, SASH AND DOORS 

\ BOULEVARD TO EAST RIVER 

ASTORIA, N. Y. CITY 



*.- 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens 



117 



j Broadway Trust Company 



LONG 


ISLAND 


CITY OFFICE 




Bridge 


Plaza 




Long Island City 



Capital and Surplus 

Assets - - - 



Member of New York Clearing House 



$2,250,000 
20,000,000 



DIRECTORS 

M. M. Belding, Belding Bros. & Co. 

M. M. Belding, Jr., Vice-President 

Eugene S. Benjamin, Pres. Industrial Mutual Liability Ins. Assn. 

Wm. C. Breed, Breed, Abbott & Morgan 

F. A. M. BuRRELL, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

James Clarke, James Clarke & Co. 

James Cochran, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Warren Cruikshank, Prest. Cruikshank Co. 

Charles E. Finlay, Rickert Finlay Realty Co. 

John H. Flagler, New York 

William Gamble, William Gamble & Co. 

Emanuel Gerli, E. Gerli & Co. 

Walter M. Gladding, Vice-Pres. Borden's Cond. Milk Co. 

Horace Havemeyer, Havemeyers & Elder 

W. O. Jones, Vice-Pres. National Park Bank, New York 

Frederic G. Lee, President 

Adam K. Luke, Treas. West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co. 

Martin A. Metzner, Young & Metzner 

George C. Meyer, Cord Meyer Development Co. 

Lewis E. Pierson, Prest. Austin Nichols & Co., Inc. 

J. L. Reiss, Prest. International Tailoring Co. 

Elbridge G. Snow, Prest. Home Insurance Co. 

Theo. F. Whitmarsh, Vice-Pres. Francis H. Leggett & Co 

Frank W. Woolworth, Prest. F. W. Woolworth & Co 



Banking Department 

Trust Department 



Foreign Exchange Department 
Bond Department 



Office, 233 BROADWAY 
New York City 



EIGHTH STREET OFFICE 
Broadway and Eighth Street 

FLATBUSH OFFICE 

839 Flatbush Ave. 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 



AETNA OFFICE 
92 West Broadway 

NEW UTRECHT OFFICE 

New Utrecht Ave. and 54th St. 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 



118 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



GAS= 



LIGHT 

HEAT 

ENERGY 



FOR THE 



Home, Store, Factory 

Ready, Efficient, Economical, Clean 
It will PAY to visit our OFFICE 



Tel. 1671 JAMAICA will bring a 
representative 

The 

Jamaica Gas Light Co. 

14-20 UNION AVENUE 
JAMAICA. N. Y. 



The 

Fir^ National Bank 

of Corona, N. Y. 

CAPITAL - - $100,000 
SURPLUS (Earned) - 60,000 
DEPOSITS - - 650.000 



PRESIDENT - W. J. HAMILTON 

VICE-PRESIDENTS 
C. W. Copp Henry S. Johnston 

CASHIER 
Obadiah G. Alexander 

DIRECTORS 

O. G. Alexander I. L. Doughty 

M. E. Connolly Louis Gallucci 

C. W. Copp W. J. Hamilton 

A. G. Dimmerling J. L. M. Hathaway 

J. D. Dillingham H. S. Johnston 

G. B. Voorhees R. G. Lake 

G. J. Talleur 



FOR STANDARD GRADES OF 

BRICK, CEMENT, LIME 

GO TO THE 

Oldest Established and the Largest Dealers of 
MASONS' MATERIAL 

IN 

LONG ISLAND CITY :: BOROUGH OF QUEENS 



CLONIN & MESSENGER 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



119 




fiOREST HILLS GARDENS is the property of the Sage 
Foundation Homes Company and is recognized to be 
the most comprehensive accompHshment in garden city 
or model town planning yet undertaken in America. 
Lest confusion and an indefinite impression exist as to just 
what Forest Hills Gardens is and represents, and in order to 
confute any opinion that it has been developed and undertaken 
with certain charitable or philanthropic objects in view, it is 
well to state that this is not its aim. Forest Hills Gardens is 
a high-class suburban residential community conducted upon 
strictly business principles. It is not for the laboring class and 
it is only philanthropic to that extent that the owners and 
developers are satisfied with a nominal return on the capital 
invested. The difference between this nominal profit which the 
Company is satisfied to obtain and the profit usually demanded 
by the real estate developer and builder is re-invested by the 
Company in additional improvements and refinements and applied 
toward securing a higher cultivation of esthetic principles as 
applied to suburban real estate development. It is a new type 
of high-class home community not to be confused with the usual 
ephemeral development filled with absurd fancies and individual 
idiosyncrasies. It is a successful project along garden city or 
model town planning lines and it contains the basis of a liberal 
education in this work. 

Four million dollars have been invested by owners in the 
purchase and improvement of the property ; 192 houses have 
been built of which 77 were completed this year, ranging in price 
from $7,900 to $75,000, at an average cost of $15,000 per house. 
Consideration of these facts will afford the most illuminating 
commentary on the Sage Foundation Homes Company's work. 
Residents of Queensboro particularly should visit Forest Hills 
Gardens and become familiar with this great progressive under- 
taking, located in their borough. 



Sage Foundation Homes Company 

Forest Hills, L. I., and 47 West 34th St., Manhattan 



120 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 




HARRIS AVE. AND WILLIAM ST. 

FACTORY BEING ERECTED FOR THE STERLING GUM CO. 

ONE OF THE RECENT LEASES NEGOTIATED IN LONG ISLAND CITY 

THROUGH 



CROSS a BROWi 

COMPANY 



Real 



Estate 



AND 

INSURANCE 

!r4000 Murray Hill 18 East 41 -Street 




NEW YORK CITY. 



SPECIALISTS IN LONG ISLAND CITY BUSINESS PROPERTY. 



JUMP LUMBER CO.,Inc. 



We Carry a Full Line of 
Second -Hand Building 
Materials, Plumbing, 
Heating, and Lighting 
Fixtures. Get our prices 
before buying elsewhere. 



LONG ISLAND CITY 

Borden and East Avenues 

Telephone, Hunters Point 3750 



Telephones -j 4159 (Hunters Point 

Young & Metzner 

Bags and Bagging 

'^SUGAR BAG CLOTH" 
for covering Cotton 



Office & Factory, 321-379 Vernon Ave, 
LONG ISLAND CITY, N* Y. 

Docks, East River, Harris Avenue 
to Englis Street 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 121 



1914 

1914 was not a good year; 

TN fact it was a bad year for general business, 
regardless of the disturbances in Mexico and 
before affected by the horrible war in Europe, which 
broke out in the eighth month, business generally 
was "weary, stale and unprofitable." 

Nevertheless the growth of 
Long Island continued 

A MILLION more passengers and nearly a half 
"^^ million more tons of freight were carried by 
the Long Island Railroad in the year 1914 than 
in the previous year. 

npHE great public is continually growing in 
-*- knowledge of Long Island and consequently 
yielding to its attractiveness. 

T} EOPLE come to live on Long Island because 
^^ they want homes with pleasant surroundings. 
They wish to live where they can easily and con- 
veniently visit the shores of the billowy sea, the tran- 
quil bays, and the sometimes billowy and sometimes 
tranquil sound and have the aquatic pleasures which 
they afford. 

TV/r ANUFACTURING industries come to Queens 
-^^-*- because Queens is in the City of New York, 
has the advantage of New York prestige, and by 
the Long Island Railroad shippers have the benefit 
of through car freight service with all the Trunk 
Line Railroads. 

TN the year 1914 there were located in Queens 
-■■ twenty-four manufacturing Industries, which, 
under full operation, will employ about seven 
thousand persons. 

nPHERE is need of houses for these people and 
-*- for the overflow of population from Manhat- 
tan, not only in Queens but extending into Nassau 
and Suffolk Counties. 



122 Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 

CAPITAL and SURPLUS, $625,000.00 

First Mortgage Guarantee Company 

Bridge Plaza North, Borough of Queens 
New York City 



WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, President 
CLINTON R. JAMES, Vice-President 
H. PUSHAE WILLIAMS, Treasurer 
ARVINE C. LEACH, Secretary 







Money to Lend on Bond and 

Mortgage 

Building Loans 

Guaranteed Mortgages Netting 5i/^ Per Cent. 

For Sale 



QUEENS-COURT 

Queens, L. I., New York City 
28 MINUTES FROM MANHATTAN 

Via 34th St., Penn. Station or Flatbush Ave. Station, Brooklyn 

Three Minutes From Queens Express Station, Long Island -Pennsylvania 
Electric System. One Hundred Trains Daily. 

SUBURBAN COTTAGES and SEMI-BUNGALOWS 

Built on Merit Moderate Priced Construction Guaranteed 

Every City Convenience Planned to Your Order Best of Materials 

A Quiet Home Residential RESTRICTED PARK 

Ideal social surroundings. Churches, Schools, Libraries, Tennis Courts, 
Gas, Electricity, Artesian Water. Built and Sold on Easy Terms. 

Write or Phone 3876 Cortlandt for detailed information 
and Illustrated Pamphlets 

QUEENS-COURT REALTY CO. 

J. MEAD BRIGGS, President 
200 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 123 



J-jAVE this thought in mind when you go 
to your place of business in Manhattan; 

Every day we are demonstrating to ^wide- 
awake^' business men the many advantages 
of GAS over other fuels for 

Industrial 
Purposes 

We not only point out the Economy that 
follows in the use of Gas, but we can prove 
that Gas is perfect from the Hygienic and 
Sanitary points of view. 

Should you be convinced that we can reduce 
your manufacturing costs, communicate with 
us and mention this publication. 

"The Right Way Is The Gas Way" 

Consolidated Gas Company of New York 

GEO. B. CORTELYOU, President 



124 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



Everything that makes life Healthful, Happy and 



Interesting is found at 



©n the 
Sounb 



JBeecbbucst 

Justly Styled ''THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND" 

BEECHHURST has: a sandy beach, bathing, 
boating, fishing, city water, gas, electricity and 
sewerage, stores, schools, churches and other 
necessities to suit all. 

ONLY 28 MINUTES FROM 33d STREET STATION 
OF PENNSYLVANIA R. R. 

Write, Phone or Call 

Shore Acres Realty Company 



243 West 34th St., New York 

Telephone, 1760 Greeley 



171 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn 

Telephone, Prospect 8690 



One Hour at Billiards Ev'ry Day 
Is Sure to Drive Brain Fag Away 



Appendicitis 
Never Gets a Bowler 



We are headquarters for everything 
in the Billiard and Bowling line 



The Brunswick- Balke-Collender Co. 

29 West 32 d Street, New York 



Vacant Lots 
Do Not Pay 

BUILD ON THEM 

SEE 

WM. T, CLUTE 
BUILDER 

Specialty of Frame 
Construction 

7 Skillman Place. Bridge Plaza, L. I. City 
Phone 871 Astoria 

11 25th Street. Elmhurst, L. I. 
Phone 1098- J Newtown 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



125 



JACJl FE©ST 



100% PURE CANE SUGAR 




Jack frost tablet sugar 

IN 2 LB. AND 5 LB. CARTONS 

JACK FROST GRANULATED SUGAR 

IN 2 LB., 3i LB. AND 5 LB CARTONS 



JACK FROST CONFECTIONER'S XXXX SUGAR 

IN ONE POUND CARTONS 

JACK FROST POWDERED SUGAR 

IN ONE POUND CARTONS 



THE MATroiMAL SKKS^E E^FIIMEM(S C®. 

129 FRONT ST. ®F MEW JEMSEY NEW YORK 



126 



Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens. 



FREE PAY ENVELOPES 

To manufacturing and mercantile 
firms located in Queens 

These PAY ENVELOPES entitle your 
employees to 5 per cent, discount at 



ALL CARS TRANSFER TO 
• THEHOMEorTRUTH"i 




59™ TO 60™ STRECT ^ LEX.TO 3?AV \^}^S^ 



EARL A. GILLESPIE 

PLANING and MOULDING MILL 

Lumberjimber, Doors, Sash, Moulding 

SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO 

Turning, Band Sawing, Carving, 
and General Shop Work 

WOODHAVEN, L. I. 



REAL ESTATE 



r{:|lOPCENTHAU JR © 

95 LIBERTY ST N Y 



SPECIALISTS I 



Water Supply 
Sewerage 
Garbage Disposal 



Property Development 

Surveys 

Architect Associated 



LEONARD C. L. SMITH 

M. AM. SOC. C. E. 

Consulting Engineer 

SUITE 206 

QUEENS PLAZA COURT BUILDING 

LONG ISLAND CITY. N. Y. 

Plans and Specifications. Reports. Evaluations 

Branch Office: Queensboro Corporation Building 

Guaranteed Surveys made in Queens and 

Nassau Counties 



THIS BOOK WAS PRINTED BY THE 

Proofelp Cagle tresis; 

THE LARGEST ON LONG ISLAND 



^TT All Manner of Job Printing Carefully and Promptly Done. 
^^ Business or Personal Stationery Printed or Engraved. 
PROGRAMS and MENUS, BOOKLETS ^«^CATALOGS, 
POSTERS and SHOW CARDS, CALENDARS and 
MAGAZINES— In fact, anything that is printable. :: :: :: 
Estimates Cheerfully Given :: TELEPHONE 6200 MAIN 

Clje 38roofeljn Cagle printing ISep t. 

"DELIVERY WHEN PROMISED" OUR GUARANTEE 




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The figures in unall circles give the tinie ia minutes (or the 

in Manhattan, t)ie Bronx, and the Aslaria and Corona extensions 
in Qijeesg. The time to the stations in the Bronx is figured lor (rains 
operating from Grand Central Station over the new Lexington 



chamber of commerce 
of™e borough of queens 

Executive Offices 

Queeniboro Bridge Plaza — Long Island City 

New York City 



The figures in small circles in Brooklyn and on the Jamaica Avenue 
exteniion, the Liberty Avenue extension, and the Lutheran Cemetery 
extension in Queens Borough, give the nmning lime of Brooklyn Rapid 
Transit trains from Park Row or Chambers SlrecL The Fulton 
Street line time is over the Brooklyn Bridge, and that of the Lutheran 
Cemeleiy and the Jamaica Avenue and Liberty Avenue lines over the 
Willianuburg Bridge via Broadway. 




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